While returning from the official visits to Germany and Finland, the Hon’ble Minister for Education and Skills Development, Yeezang De Thapa visited the Princess Mother National Institute on Drug Abuse Treatment (PMNIDAT), also known as the Thanyarak Institute in Bangkok, Thailand on 4th April 2025.
During the visit, Lyonpo held discussions with Dr. Akarathan Jitnuyanont, Deputy Director General of the Department of Medical Services, PMNIDAT and Dr. Sarayuth Boonchaipanithwattana, Director of PMNIDAT along with other senior officials.
The visit aimed to strengthen collaboration between Bhutan and PMNIDAT in the area of rehabilitation schools. It focused on gaining insights from PMNIDAT’s comprehensive approach which includes providing treatment services for individuals with addiction as well as advancing academic efforts through research, knowledge development and technological innovation in the field of addiction medicine.
To formalise and deepen this collaboration, Lyonpo shared Bhutan’s forthcoming initiative to establish a Recovery School in Yonphula, Trashigang. This school will support students recovering from substance use by facilitating their reintegration into the formal education system. The meeting also emphasised the mutual interest in fostering collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Skills Development and PMNIDAT including the potential exchange programs and capacity-building opportunities for teachers.
The visit represents a significant step toward enhancing Bhutan’s holistic strategy to combat youth substance abuse through education, care and international partnership.
