Lotay Tshering spends his weekends
in a hospital performing surgeries and tending to patients
For most prime ministers, the task of running the country is enough.
But not so for the multitasking prime minister of Bhutan, who spends his weekends at an operating table and tending to patients.
Dr. Lotay Tshering was one of the most reputed and best doctors in Bhutan before he entered politics last year and while prime ministerial duties occupy him during the week, on weekends he returned to the hospital as a way to let off steam.
While tending to patients at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, he told AFP that his medical work was a “de-stressor”.
“Some people play golf, some do archery, and I like to operate. I will continue doing this until I die and I miss not being able to be here every day. Whenever I drive to work on weekdays, I wish I could turn left towards the hospital”.
He also spends his Thursday mornings giving medical advice to trainee doctors.
No one at the hospital bats an eyelid as Mr. Tshering, wearing a faded lab coat and crocs, walks through the busy corridors. He is just like other doctors in the hospital doing their job.
After a first failed election attempt in 2013, Tshering was voted in as prime minister of Bhutan in November 2018. He is the third democratic leader since the country- which is known best for being the birthplace of measuring “ gross national happiness”.
