Characteristics of healthcare delivery system in Bhutan

ABSTRACT

In the Kingdom of Bhutan, also known as the ‘country of happiness’, both traditional healing and Western medicine are at work. However, from an epidemiological point of view, Western medicine has produced more discernible and pleasant results against diseases in the half-century. Modern Bhutan employs a single-payer system. This article draws evidence from the existing literature by Bhutan Ministry of Health officer and gathers account from a former Bhutan Ministry of Finance officer, Bhutanese students in India and the USA to discuss five major components of its healthcare delivery system, namely, its high universality, equity, portability, accessibility but low comprehensiveness.

KEYWORDS:

• Bhutan
• single-payer system
• Western medicine
• healthcare delivery

Acknowledgement

The author expresses her gratitude to Parop Sonam, former Bhutan Ministry of Finance officer, Dorji Palden from University Of Petroleum & Energy Studies (UPES), and Rinzin Lhendup from Napa Valley College for taking up an extensive time to be interviewed, and Dr Peter Muennig-Associate Professor at Columbia University for his invaluable advice. The opinions or assertions in this article only reflect the author’s personal view, which is not to be considered as products of any institution mentioned above.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Chu Qian received an MPH from Columbia University, and is certified in ADS and CNT by NADA and CCAOM.