Jigmi Singay

Biography

Dr. Jigmi Singay, former Health Minister of Bhutan (2003 – 2007) started his career in Bhutan Civil Service as a General Duty Medical Officer (GDMO) in Thimphu General Hospital in 1978 after graduating his MBBS from Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh University, Assam in 1976. He has done his Master in Public Health (MPH) from the School of Public Health, University of California, San Diego in 1985. During his 25 years of his service in Royal Government of Bhutan, he has served in various posts and held positions - Medical Officer, Coordinating Officer, Project Manager – MCH-FP, EPI, IDD, CEO of National Institute of Family Health (NIFH – 1982 - 89), Joint Director of Public Health, Director of Health Services. He was then promoted to Secretary to the Royal Government of Bhutan in Royal Civil Service Commission (1998 - 2003). He was the Chairman of Special Task Force for restructuring of Government Agencies to enhance Good Governance in 1999. He also chaired the Awards Committee, National Steering committee, Silver Jubilee commemoration of His Majesty the 4th King’s Enthronement, 1999. During his 25 years of service in Royal Government of Bhutan he represented his country in various meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences in various capacities at International, Regional and National levels. He led the delegation to World Health Assembly (WHA) from 2003 – 2008. He served as Executive Board (EB) Member in WHO from 2003 – 2008 and as alternate Board Member (EB) from 1995 – 1998. He was elected as Rapporteur General of Committee – A, WHA, May 1997. He was also elected as Chairman of Committee – B, WHA, May 2005. He participated in International Conference on Population in 1984, Mexico City, Mexico and in 1994, Cairo, Egypt). He also attended the meeting on Global Medical Forum – III at Zurich, Switzerland in March 2004, Macro – Economics and Health in Geneva, October 2003, International Conference on Elimination of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD), Beijing, October 2003, Sixth Round Table Meeting for Bhutan, Geneva, January 1997. He served as member of EPI Scientific Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) in Geneva 1996 – 97. He was also member of Management Advisory Committee of Essential Drug Program, Geneva, 1994- 96. He was actively involved in Resource Mobilization for health programs and projects. He was responsible for five yearly developmental plan implementation for health sector in Bhutan. He has vast experience in coordinating with donor community, dealing with bilateral, multilateral and International Non - Governmental Organizations (I-NGOs). He was the focal point in his country for the Health and Population sector for SAARC. He has participated in SAARC activities mainly at the technical levels and served as a member of SAARC Poverty Alleviation Commission, 1992 – 1994. He has also led delegation and participated actively in the WHO Regional Committee (RC) meetings and Ministerial Meetings. Dr. Jigmi Singay has been actively involved in promoting, expanding coverage and improving the quality of Primary Health Care Services in Bhutan nationwide. He has actively participated in realizing the achievement of PHC coverage over 90 % and successfully achieving the Universal Child Immunization (UCI) 1990 Goal, Achieving Leprosy and Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) Elimination Goals. For his meritorious service he was awarded Red Scarf by His Majesty the Fourth King of Bhutan on 17th February 1997. After his retirement from the Royal Government of Bhutan he joined WHO, first as TIP (Temporary International Professional) in WHO – Country Office in Myanmar (WCO - MMR) for Developing Resource Mobilization Strategies, then as Technical Officer (TO) – PHI (Public Health Initiative) & Focal Point for the SEAPHEN, External Relations Officer (ERO) , Regional Advisor (RA) - Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology (DSE), Acting WHO Representative (WR) to Myanmar and RA – CDC & Focal point for the Global Fund for SEA Region. He superannuated from WHO on 31st May 2016.

Research Interest

Public Health