- MISSION: To establish a “Centre of Excellence” for nursing education at the international level through a quality approach, professional development, and research.
- VISION: Apollo Bhutan Institute of Nursing strives to provide the best nursing education possible, combining continuous quality improvement, cutting-edge technology, and affordability.
Overview
The Apollo Bhutan Institute of Nursing was first established in July 2019 as a joint venture between Apollo India and Chhundu Travel and Tours, making it the first FDI nursing institute in Bhutan. The institute was established to address the growing demand for nursing professionals in Bhutan and globally, as well as to provide quality nursing education in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.
The institute presently offers a Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) program, which is affiliated with the Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGUMSB) and regulated by the Bhutan Medical and Health Council (BMHC). The three-year program, which involves both theory and practise in numerous clinical hospitals for practicum and field visits, including Apollo India in the final year, equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to practise nursing in diverse healthcare settings. The state-of-the-art infrastructure and resources provided by the institute ensure a hands-on, experiential learning experience for the students.
Location
Located in a prime location in the capital, Thimphu, the Apollo Bhutan Institute of Nursing is strategically placed to benefit from easy access to the nation’s best healthcare resources and institutions.
The institute was relocated to the White House Apartment Complex in early 2020 for reasons owing to its weather (particularly in the winter season, which causes slippery roads, causing difficulties in commuting), its location (a long distance from town and lack of proximity to community hospitals for clinical rotations), and faculty retention for the same reason. The institute currently occupies more than 80 percent of the total space at the complex, with further expansions underway. The institute’s relocation has been highly beneficial, as it now has easy access to the city’s amenities and nearby hospitals.
Annual Intake
The institute has been steadily increasing its intake each year, striving to prepare a larger pool of nurses with the necessary qualifications and skills to meet the demands of an ever-evolving healthcare system. Over the past year, the institute has welcomed over 300 new students and faculty, making it one of the most diverse communities of healthcare professionals in the area.
With the exception of two students who are pursuing higher education, the institution’s first cohort of 13 students for the Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery graduated in July 2022 and are now all employed in government hospitals across the country.
Since its inception, the Apollo Bhutan Institute of Nursing has been striving to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the changing needs of today’s healthcare environment. The number of intakes increased to a total of 36 for the second batch, 100 for the third batch, and 150 for the fourth batch.
Way Forward
To keep up with the ever-changing healthcare landscape, the institute intends to introduce new courses on emerging healthcare needs for health, as well as upgrade and launch BSc programmes in the near future to provide opportunities for nurses and midwives to work in specialised fields of healthcare.
As part of its mission to establish a “Centre of Excellence” for nursing education, the Apollo Bhutan Institute of Nursing is committed to providing high-quality teaching and learning, enhancing the knowledge and skills of its students through state-of-the-art technology and equipment, and keeping up with the latest developments in healthcare.