Hailey Tran
Bhutan, a small landlocked country between China and India, has offered free universal healthcare for all citizens since the 1970s. The country has a unique approach to healthcare, encompassing both physical and mental health, with a focus on traditional and allopathic medicines. While the number of hospitals in Bhutan has been limited, with 28-32 hospitals across the country as of 2013, the healthcare system is well-established and supported by Basic Health Units and regional referral hospitals. The government aims to provide universal health coverage and improve access to quality health services, with a vision of a nation with the best health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Hospitals | 32 (as of 2013) |
| Number of Basic Health Units | 205-208 (as of 2018) |
| Number of Doctors | 203 (as of 2011) |
| Number of Nurses | 799 (as of 2011) |
| Universal Healthcare | Yes, since the 1970s |
| Free Basic Healthcare | Yes |
| Referral Hospitals | 3 |
| Regional Hospitals | 29 |
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What You'll Learn
There are 28-32 hospitals in Bhutan
Bhutan has offered free universal healthcare for all citizens since the 1970s. The country's healthcare system falls under the Ministry of Health (MoH), which aims to achieve universal health coverage by improving access to equitable health services. The MoH's vision is "a nation with the best health". Basic public healthcare is free, as stated in the Constitution of Bhutan: "the State shall provide free access to basic public health services in both modern and traditional medicines".
There are 28 to 32 hospitals in Bhutan, depending on the source. These include national referral hospitals, regional referral hospitals, and district hospitals. The country's healthcare facilities are well-established and personally overseen by His Majesty the King. The hospitals are supported by thousands of Ministry of Health employees, including doctors, nurses, traditional physicians, pharmacists, and technicians.
Bhutan's healthcare system combines traditional and allopathic (Western) medicine. Traditional medicine has a long history in the country, dating back to the 7th century. The arrival of Zhabdrung in 1616 further influenced the development of traditional medicine in Bhutan. Today, both traditional and allopathic methods are practised without discrimination, and patients can choose the treatment that best suits their needs.
While Bhutan has made significant progress in healthcare, some diseases, such as cancer, cannot be treated in the country, and patients are taken to hospitals in India for treatment, which is paid for by the Bhutanese government. The country also faces challenges due to its mountainous terrain, which affects the accessibility of medical care.
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Basic Health Units (BHUs) provide free basic healthcare
Basic Health Units (BHUs) are an integral part of Bhutan's healthcare system, providing free basic healthcare services to the country's citizens. The government of Bhutan has long been committed to ensuring universal health coverage and improving access to quality healthcare services for all.
BHUs play a crucial role in delivering on this promise, offering essential medical care to communities across the country. These health units are often the first point of contact for people seeking treatment for minor ailments or requiring assistance with normal deliveries and other basic healthcare needs. As of 2018, there were 208 BHUs in operation throughout Bhutan, catering to the diverse healthcare needs of the population.
The services provided by these BHUs are wide-ranging and tailored to meet the specific needs of the communities they serve. They assist in normal deliveries, provide treatment for minor illnesses and injuries, and actively engage in prevention and sanitation activities within their respective communities. This holistic approach to healthcare reflects Bhutan's traditional view of health, which encompasses both physical and mental well-being, as reflected in the saying, "lus lu natsha med, sems lu sdugsngal med" ("no illness in body and no stress in mind").
BHUs are also instrumental in supporting the work of district and national hospitals in Bhutan. They serve as a crucial link between the community and more specialised healthcare facilities, ensuring that patients receive the necessary treatment and follow-up care. This collaborative approach to healthcare has contributed to significant improvements in key health indicators over the years, including increased life expectancy and reduced infant mortality rates.
Despite the progress made, Bhutan continues to face challenges due to limited resources and the geographical constraints of its mountainous terrain. However, the country remains committed to updating its healthcare infrastructure and making it accessible to all citizens, including those in remote mountain communities.
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District hospitals are supported by regional referral hospitals
Bhutan has a well-established healthcare system, with universal healthcare provided free of charge to all citizens since the 1970s. The country has a mix of district hospitals, regional referral hospitals, and a national referral hospital.
District hospitals form the backbone of Bhutan's healthcare system, with 29 such hospitals spread across the country. Each district hospital typically has a small staff consisting of one doctor, 4-5 nurses, a laboratory technician, and a health assistant. These hospitals cater to the basic healthcare needs of the local communities, providing services for minor ailments, normal deliveries, and preventive and sanitation activities.
The regional referral hospitals have basic special facilities, including international medicine, gynecology and obstetrics, pediatrics, and orthopedics. They provide a crucial link between the district hospitals and the national referral hospital, ensuring that patients requiring more specialized care can access it when needed.
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The Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital is the best health facility
Bhutan has offered free universal healthcare for all citizens since the 1970s. The country's healthcare facilities are well-established and personally overseen by the King. There are 32 hospitals and 205 basic health units (BHUs) in Bhutan. The BHUs cater to communities for minor ailments, assist at normal deliveries, and take care of prevention and sanitation activities within the community.
The hospital offers various specialized services, including cardiology, orthopedics, pediatrics, and obstetrics. The Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department handles about 3,000 deliveries annually. The hospital's focus on patient-centred care is evident, as staff members are often described as attentive, supportive, and professional. The hospital also has a library with many current textbooks.
In addition to its medical services, the hospital is actively involved in community outreach programs. These initiatives aim to raise awareness about health issues and promote healthy lifestyles among the Bhutanese population. By engaging with the community, the hospital helps to bridge the gap between healthcare services and public health education, fostering a healthier society overall.
The Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital stands as a pillar of healthcare in Bhutan, providing the most sophisticated health evaluation and management services in the country. It is a testament to the country's commitment to achieving "a nation with the best health," as envisioned by the Ministry of Health.
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Bhutan offers free universal healthcare to all citizens
Bhutan has offered universal healthcare to its citizens free of cost since the 1970s. The system is pro-poor and covers almost 90% of the population within 2 hours of travel distance. The country has achieved remarkable success in many public health indicators despite the chronic shortage of financial resources and trained manpower. The Constitution of Bhutan charges the Royal Government with ensuring a "safe and healthy environment" and providing "free access to basic public health services in both modern and traditional medicines".
Healthcare in Bhutan falls under the Ministry of Health (MoH). The MoH aims to achieve universal health coverage by improving access to quality and equitable health services, strengthening preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative health services, and promoting efficiency and effectiveness in the financing and delivery of health services. Its vision is “a nation with the best health”. Basic public healthcare is free, as reflected in the Constitution of Bhutan: “the State shall provide free access to basic public health services in both modern and traditional medicines”.
Healthcare is delivered to the citizens of Bhutan through 32 hospitals and 205 basic health units. There are 203 doctors and 799 nurses who cater to its population of 745,153. The 2011 National Health Accounts revealed that the public health expenditure was 6.27% as a percentage of total government expenditure and 3.23% as a percentage of the country's GDP. From 2012 to 2013, an estimated 90% of Bhutanese received an adequate daily caloric intake.
Bhutan's healthcare development accelerated in the early 1960s with the establishment of the Department of Public Health and the opening of new hospitals and dispensaries throughout the country. By the early 1990s, healthcare was provided through 29 general hospitals (including 5 leprosy hospitals, 3 army hospitals, and 1 mobile hospital), 46 dispensaries, 67 basic health units, 4 indigenous medicine dispensaries, and 15 malaria eradication centers. The major hospitals were in Thimphu, Geylegphug, and Trashigang. Hospital beds in 1988 totalled 932. There was a severe shortage of healthcare personnel, with official statistics reporting only 142 physicians and 678 paramedics.
Bhutan's currency is the ngultrum (Nu), and its value is on par with and pegged to the Indian rupee. The major sectors that contribute to Bhutan's economy are tourism, agriculture, forestry, and the sale of hydroelectric power. According to the 2011 National Health Accounts, its gross domestic product (GDP) per capita was USD 2,121. Bhutan is known for measuring its happiness with the Gross National Happiness (GNH) Index, which was coined by the fourth king of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, in 1972, to show his commitment to building the economy sustainably, based on Buddhist spiritual values and well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2013, there were 32 hospitals across Bhutan.
The hospitals in Bhutan are accessible to all citizens as basic public healthcare is free and universal. However, the number of hospitals in Bhutan is limited, and some diseases, such as cancer, cannot be treated in the country.
There are 244 doctors in Bhutan, according to a 2011 report. However, another source from 2011 states there are 203 doctors.
There are 29 district hospitals, 28 general hospitals, and 32 hospitals in total across Bhutan.
