On 17 - 18 August 2023, Ms. Acharapan Yavaprapas, Consul-General of Thailand in Kolkata presided over the handover ceremony of medical equipment contribution to 2 healthcare institutions in Bodhgaya, State of Bihar; namely, 1) Community Healthcare Centre, Bodhgaya, in which Dr. Manoj Kumar, Medical Officer-in-Charge and Shri Nilesh Kumar, District Project Manager, Gaya District Health Society received the handover, and around 30 members of Centre, local citizens and medias participated in the ceremony; and 2) Buddha Hospital, which was established within the premises of the Royal Thai Monastery, Bodhgaya, in which Phradharmabodhiwongse, Chairperson of Thai Buddhist Missionary in India and Nepal and Chief Abbot of the Royal Thai Monastery, Bodhgaya received the handover. 

In her remarks, Consul-General highlighted that the aim of the afore-mentioned project, which has been carried out for 2 consecutive years, is to improve healthcare service and access for both local Indian community and Thai monks and pilgrims. Moreover, the year 2023 also marks 2 auspicious occasions for Thai people; namely the celebration of the 96th Birthday Anniversary of His Holiness Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, and the celebration of the centenary of the birth of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, the elder sister of the late King Bhumibol. Both luminaries have inspired Thailand to place an emphasis on humanitarian assistance and capacity-building for medical service and public health in its diplomacy.

Consul-General handed over 8 items of medical equipment as follows:

1) For Community Healthcare Centre, Bodhgaya 7 items; namely, 1 set of cardiac monitor, 1 set of defibrillator, 1 set of ophthalmoscope, 1 set of slit lamp with motorised stand, 1 set of auto tonometer, 1 set of LED vision chart, and 1 set of retinoscope, so that they can be used for a broad spectrum of patients, including to support the newly established ophthalmology section to treat eye-related ailments such as myopia and cataract; and,

2) For Buddha Hospital 1 item; namely, 1 set of automatic blood pressure monitor, to be used for both Thai monks and pilgrimages and local Indian community as well as for providing health check-up as local charity.