Hospitals & BHUs in Bhutan

Bhutan has a well-organized healthcare system that provides free healthcare services to all citizens, with a network of hospitals, Basic Health Units (BHUs), and outreach clinics spread across the country. The Ministry of Health oversees this system, aiming to deliver primary healthcare, disease prevention, and treatment to even the most remote communities.

Here’s a breakdown of the major hospitals and BHUs in Bhutan:

1. Major Hospitals in Bhutan

1. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH)

• Location: Thimphu (Capital City)
• Description: The largest and most advanced hospital in Bhutan, JDWNRH serves as the national referral hospital. It provides specialized care and is the primary center for serious and complicated medical cases. The hospital has departments for surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, orthopedics, and more.
• Facilities: Intensive care units, diagnostic services, advanced surgical facilities, outpatient services, and a 24/7 emergency department.
• Role: Referral center for cases from smaller hospitals and BHUs across the country.

2. Mongar Regional Referral Hospital

• Location: Mongar (Eastern Bhutan)
• Description: This hospital is the second-largest in the country and serves as the main referral hospital for eastern Bhutan. It provides specialized services in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and other disciplines. It is a key medical hub for people living in eastern and central Bhutan.
• Facilities: Surgical services, diagnostic services, and maternal health care.

3. Gelephu Central Regional Referral Hospital

• Location: Gelephu (Southern Bhutan)
• Description: This hospital serves southern Bhutan and provides a wide range of healthcare services. Gelephu hospital is known for its emphasis on maternity care, surgery, and general healthcare.
• Facilities: Emergency services, surgical units, outpatient clinics, and diagnostic facilities.

4. Phuentsholing General Hospital

• Location: Phuentsholing (Southern Bhutan, near the Indian border)
• Description: As a major city on the Indian border, Phuentsholing’s hospital serves both Bhutanese citizens and a significant transient population. It offers general healthcare services, including surgery, internal medicine, and maternity care.
• Facilities: Maternity ward, emergency care, and outpatient services.

5. Samdrup Jongkhar Hospital

• Location: Samdrup Jongkhar (Southeastern Bhutan)
• Description: This hospital caters to the healthcare needs of southeastern Bhutan. It provides general healthcare services with a focus on maternal and child health.
• Facilities: Basic diagnostic services, maternal healthcare, and general outpatient care.

2. Basic Health Units (BHUs)

• Description: Basic Health Units (BHUs) are the backbone of Bhutan’s rural healthcare system. These small facilities are spread throughout the country, particularly in rural and remote areas. BHUs provide primary healthcare services, including treatment for minor ailments, maternal and child health services, immunizations, and preventive care.
• Staff: BHUs are generally staffed by a medical officer or healthcare assistant, a nurse, and a health assistant. Complex cases are referred to larger hospitals.
• Two Levels of BHUs:
  • BHU I: Larger and better equipped, typically with a resident medical officer. Provides minor surgical services, basic inpatient care, and outpatient services.
  • BHU II: Smaller units without inpatient care. Offers basic services such as outpatient treatment, immunization, maternal and child health services, and health education.

Examples of BHUs:

• Taktse BHU (Trongsa)
• Trashigang BHU (Eastern Bhutan)
• Wangdue Phodrang BHU (Central Bhutan)
• Paro BHU II (Paro District)
• Haa BHU (Western Bhutan)

3. Specialized Hospitals and Units

1. National Traditional Medicine Hospital (NTMH)

• Location: Thimphu
• Description: Bhutan integrates traditional medicine (Sowa Rigpa) with modern healthcare. This hospital provides herbal and traditional medical treatments and is part of the government’s commitment to preserving indigenous medical knowledge.
• Services: Consultations with traditional doctors, herbal treatments, and therapies like acupuncture.

2. Gidakom Hospital

• Location: Near Thimphu
• Description: A specialized center focusing on infectious diseases, including tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy.
• Services: Treatment and care for infectious diseases, inpatient services, and outreach programs to prevent disease spread.

3. Mental Health Unit, JDWNRH

• Location: Thimphu
• Description: JDWNRH has a dedicated unit for mental health care, providing inpatient and outpatient services for those suffering from mental illnesses.
• Services: Psychiatric consultations, counseling, and treatment for various mental health conditions.

4. Outreach Clinics and Mobile Health Services

• Outreach Clinics: Bhutan’s healthcare system also relies on outreach clinics, where health workers travel to remote areas to deliver medical services. These clinics are especially important in places where BHUs and hospitals are not easily accessible.
• Mobile Health Units: Mobile medical units provide essential healthcare services in remote, high-altitude regions. These units are equipped with basic medical supplies and allow health professionals to reach some of the most inaccessible parts of Bhutan.

5. Telemedicine

• Bhutan has begun implementing telemedicine services to provide medical consultations to people in remote areas. These services connect doctors from referral hospitals with patients and healthcare workers in rural areas, improving access to specialized care.

6. Emergency Medical Services

• Ambulance Services: Bhutan provides ambulance services, particularly for referrals from BHUs to larger hospitals. These services are crucial for patients in rural areas who need urgent care.
• Medical Evacuation: For serious cases in remote areas, patients are sometimes airlifted by helicopter to hospitals in Thimphu or Mongar for advanced care.

Healthcare Challenges:

• Geographical Barriers: Bhutan’s mountainous terrain makes it difficult to reach remote villages, which can delay access to healthcare services.
• Limited Specialized Care: Although Bhutan has made great progress, certain specialized medical services, such as advanced surgeries or cancer treatments, still require patients to seek care in India or abroad.

Conclusion:

Bhutan’s healthcare system is well-organized, providing free healthcare to its citizens through hospitals, BHUs, and outreach programs. The system emphasizes both modern and traditional medicine, ensuring that even remote areas receive basic healthcare services. The growing network of telemedicine and mobile health units is helping to overcome the geographical challenges and improving access to care across the country.