In the Question Hour for the Ministers under Group B, a  total of nine questions were tabled. Seven Questions  for oral responses and two for written responses. Three questions were directed to the Minister for Health (MoH), two each questions were directed to the Minister for Education and Skills Development (MoESD) and the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL), and two for written responses to the Minister for Education and Skills Development (MoESD).

The Member from Sergithang-Tsirangtoed constituency questioned the Minister for Health (MoH) on the Ministry’s support for persons with disabilities, citing 5,245 individuals identified in the National Health Survey as living under challenging conditions. He sought updates on financial assistance, access to education and employment, healthcare services, and protection of legal rights.

In response, the Minister for Health informed the House that 6.8% of Bhutan’s population are persons with disabilities, according to the National Health Survey 2022. To support them, the Ministry of Health is working to make healthcare more inclusive and accessible. The Minister said that the Ministry is guided by the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities 2019 and the Social Protection Strategy 2025. Key activities include early screening of children using the Bhutan Child Development Screening Tool, hearing and eyesight checks for newborns, and improving services for rehabilitation and assistive devices. A budget of Nu. 8.2 million has been allocated in the 13th Five-Year Plan for the Community-Based Rehabilitation Program. The Ministry is also helping parents of children with disabilities through tax reduction schemes and training health workers to better support people with different needs. The Minister said these efforts aim to improve the lives of persons with disabilities and ensure they get the care and support they need.

The Member from Nanong-Shumar constituency raised the need to establish dialysis centers in more accessible locations. He highlighted the government’s pledge to provide dialysis facilities and deploy general specialists in all 20 Dzongkhag hospitals. With only seven dialysis centers currently available and rising kidney cases across 19 Dzongkhags, he asked about government policies and timelines for establishing additional centers, particularly in underserved eastern and central regions. 

In response, the Minister for Health shared the concern and that 424 patients are currently receiving hemodialysis services. He said the Ministry is planning to expand dialysis services to all cluster and Dzongkhag hospitals and in line with this, dialysis services will be made available at Trashigang Hospital within this year, with a budget allocation of around Nu. 350 million. The Ministry also plans to introduce peritoneal dialysis, which patients can do at home, making it easier for those in faraway places. This will be rolled out after proper studies and training. On the matter of posting a general specialist in every Dzongkhag, the Minister said the Ministry is working on it, although it remains a challenge due to a lack of medical staff.

The Member from Kengkhar-Weringla constituency questioned the Ministry of Health (MoH) on the declining fertility rates and the lack of advanced fertility treatments such as IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) in the country. He requested updates on plans to introduce IVF services and whether they would be made affordable to Bhutanese citizens. 

In response, the Minister acknowledged the decline in the fertility rate and stated that, at present, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) only provides Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) services, and there is currently no facility for IVF in the country. Recognizing the need for such services, the inclusion of IVF has been proposed under the 13th Five-Year Plan. Health Technology Assessments have already begun, locations for setting up the services have been identified, and preliminary works have commenced. To further support mothers, the Ministry has introduced the Accelerating Mother and Child Health Program, which provides financial assistance to economically vulnerable mothers. In addition, the Ministry plans to implement third-child incentives starting from the 2025–2026 period.

The Member from Bomdeling-Jamkhar constituency questioned the Minister for Education and Skills Development (MoESD) regarding the recent notification issued by the Ministry on 20 March concerning the use of corporal punishment by teaching staff, specifically referencing Dzongkha teachers. While the practice is prohibited by policy, the notification has raised concerns about ongoing perceptions of its prevalence and has reportedly demoralized teachers, particularly Dzongkha teachers. The Member sought clarification on the intent of the notification and its broader impact on the teaching community.

In response, the Minister stated that the main purpose of the Ministry’s notification issued on 20 March was not to demoralize teachers, but to encourage a more effective and compassionate approach to teaching. The intent is to promote the use of constructive guidance and valuable insights rather than corporal punishment. The Minister emphasized that parents, teachers, and students must work together to create a healthy and supportive school environment. The focus should be on the mental well-being of children, which in turn enhances their learning and overall development.

The Member from Thrimshing-Kangpara constituency questioned the Minister for Education on the pay disparity between consolidated (contract) teachers and regular teachers, emphasizing that both categories of teachers carry equal responsibilities. He expressed concern over what he described as discrimination in the current pay structure and violation of the labour law. 

In response, the Minister for Education and Skills Development stated that salary structures are determined by the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC), and the Ministry does not have the authority to make changes to them. However, the Minister informed the House that the Ministry has submitted a National Teaching Service proposal to the RCSC. This proposal includes recommendations for additional benefits to support and motivate teachers, particularly those serving in remote areas. The Ministry remains committed to supporting teachers and will continue to do so to the extent possible within its mandate.

The Member from Lingmukha-Toedwang constituency questioned the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) on the challenges faced by farmers in selling their produce due to the lack of reliable and permanent vegetable markets in Thimphu and Punakha. He cited issues at the Babesa market, which operates only in the early morning hours, and space constraints at the Khuruthang market. The Member asked what plans the Ministry has to improve market access for farmers.

In response, the Minister stated that the government has introduced the Food and Nutrients Security Policy 2023, and in line with that, the Agri-Food Strategy 2034 has also been developed. The Department of Agriculture Marketing and Cooperatives under the Ministry is carrying out the necessary actions to support farmers. The government’s approach focuses on two key areas: first, providing farmers with market opportunities, and second, ensuring fair pricing for their produce. With regard to the Babesa area in Thimphu, the Minister explained that the current site in Debsi is not intended for retail and still requires further development. In the interim, a temporary location near Olakha has been allocated for farmers to sell their products. Additionally, farmers are encouraged to make use of the Kaja Throm in Thimphu, which offers space for vegetable sales. In Punakha, the government has expanded the Kaja Throm facilities by providing additional tents and space to enable local farmers to market and sell their produce more effectively.

The Member from Bongo-Chapcha constituency questioned the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) on the need to expand the Cost Sharing Subsidy Program for farming machinery and to ensure the availability of quality agricultural fertilizers. He emphasized that farmers in Chapcha, Bjagchhog, Getana, Darla, and Bongo Gewogs continue to face challenges due to limited access to equipment, which affects productivity and sustainability in the agriculture sector. 

In response, the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock stated that a declining number of farmers has become a significant challenge across all Dzongkhags. To address the resulting labor shortage, the Ministry is promoting the use of modern technology, with farm mechanization being one of its key strategies. The government supports this initiative through two approaches: machinery hiring services and the cost-sharing scheme. Although the cost-sharing program was temporarily disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister clarified that the program still exists and that support through cost-sharing continues to be provided to farmers.