RIGSS Podcast | Episode 1
Governing Amidst a Global Crisis
-Dr. Lotay Tshering
His Excellency, Dr Lotay Tsheing is the Honourable Prime Minister of Bhutan. His Excellency is a recipient of the Druk Thuksey medal, one of Bhutan’s highest civilian awards from His Majesty The King in 2017 for his extraordinary services to the nation as a medical professional.
In addition to his surgical profession, His Excellency enjoys biking, reading, cooking, and listening to podcasts.
Academic Background
2004: MBA, University of Canberra
2007-2008: Urology fellowship, Winsconsin Medical College Hospital, USA & SGH, Singapore
1997-2002: General Surgery, BCPS, Dhaka University, Bangladesh
1991-1997: MBBS, Dhaka University, Bangladesh
His Excellency held various positions within the span of 19 years of his career:
࿇ November, 2018 – till date: Prime Minister of Bhutan
࿇ May, 2018 – till date: President, Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa
࿇ 2014 – 2018: Head, His Majesty’s Kidu Medical Unit
࿇ 2008 – 2013: Consultant Urologist, JDWNRH
࿇ 2001 – 2006: Consultant surgeon, JDWNRH and Mongar Hospital
The government campaigned and won the elections with the overarching goal of ‘Narrowing the Gap’. However, as the pandemic derails the 12th FYP, stalls economic development activities, and continues to disrupt the social sectors, it is likely to exacerbate the problem of inequality as much as it affects the country’s overall growth.
Exercising astuteness in mitigating the immediate socio-economic impacts of the pandemic while at the same time, formulating long-term cushion plans, remains both a priority and a challenge.
In this inaugural episode of the RIGSS Podcast, His Excellency the Prime Minister speaks on the 21st Century Economic Roadmap, Bhutan’s response to the pandemic so far and lessons learnt to build back better. His Excellency also shares his views on the prospect of Bhutan’s graduation from LDC by 2023, and underscores the importance of good bilateral and multi-lateral relations and global solidarity.