Bridging the gap in pediatric care in Bhutan

A group of hospital staff in front of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Referral Hospital in Thimphu, Bhutan.

Bhutan, a small country in the Himalayas, has historically been shrouded in mystery. Before 1974, most foreigners were not allowed to enter the country. The result is long-standing traditions and a rich culture that have been somewhat untouched by the outside world. Bhutanese traditional dress is still required in public places, and Buddhist temples and historical buildings lie at every turn. In Dzongkha, Bhutan’s official language, the country is called ‘Druk Yul’, meaning ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’, and the Bhutanese call themselves “Dragon people”.

Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Referral Hospital, the main hospital in the capital city of Thimphu, Bhutan.

The Bhutanese people face many healthcare inequalities due to a shortage of healthcare workers and lack of access to healthcare in rural areas. As a result, the capital city of Thimphu doesn’t have enough medical specialists to meet demand. Hospitals are overcrowded and clinicians are overworked, leaving families without access to the care they need. Bhutan’s current infant mortality rate is 23 deaths per 1000 live births. In comparison, the infant mortality rate in Europe is 3.4/1,000 (World Bank). More than half of all child deaths are due to conditions that could be easily prevented or treated (WHO).

World Telehealth Initiative’s new program at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Referral Hospital in Thimphu serves children in the capital city and from across the country with free medical services. In partnership with Health Volunteers Overseas, we provide specialized healthcare for local children via telehealth. The hospital has requested support in pediatric neurology, pediatric cardiology, and pediatric infectious disease. Through our program, pediatric specialists from around the world support local physicians with complex cases. Children in Thimphu will have better access to the specialized healthcare they need today, and local physicians will expand their technical skills and knowledge for the future.