♦ Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh was awarded Bhutan’s prestigious National Order of Merit Gold Medal for her distinguished services to the country.

♦ He is a retired Punjab cadre IAS officer of the 1975 batch and WHO South-East Asia regional director.

♦ Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk honoured Dr. Khetrapal at Bhutan’s 116th National Day celebration on 18 December 2023.

♦ Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh became the first Indian to be elected as the regional director of WHO South-East Asia.