The Bhutanese Leading the way.
In a tragic incident, a 26-year-old Bhutanese woman working as a registered nurse in Perth has passed away due to a stroke.
The deceased, identified as Yangchen Delkar, succumbed to stroke on 18th March 2025, at the Royal Perth Hospital. In response, the Association of Bhutanese in Perth Incorporated (ABPI) has launched a donation drive to support her family in repatriating her body to Bhutan.
Stroke normally affects elderly people but the diseases taking away a very young life shows in some aspects the tremendous strain and work hours put in by Bhutanese in Australia. While Bhutanese study and work it will be important for them to take care of their health.
ABPI President Chimmi Dorji stated that the association regularly assists families in such circumstances, whether through fundraising or facilitating the repatriation process. However, some families may prefer to manage certain aspects independently, and ABPI provides full support based on their needs.
Yangchen Delkar had moved to Perth at the age of 18 to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in nursing. After completing her studies, she became a registered nurse and secured permanent residency in Australia. As the eldest daughter, she was the primary breadwinner for her family and had recently facilitated her younger brother’s move to Perth for further studies.
“This is the first natural death involving a Bhutanese in Perth this year,” Chimmi Dorji confirmed. He recalled a previous case on 1st November 2024, when a Bhutanese student died by suicide in his apartment. In that instance, ABPI handled all documentation and repatriation procedures, as the deceased had no family members in Perth. However, in Yangchen’s case, a family member is present to oversee the process.
Chimmi highlighted the high medical costs in Australia, noting that medical insurance often covers only a fraction of expenses. “Hospitalization costs are significant. A single night’s stay in a hospital bed can cost around 2,300 Australian dollars. Even with medical insurance, only about 40% of treatment expenses are covered, leaving costs for doctor consultations, diagnostics, and medication to be borne by the patient,” he explained.
ABPI assists Bhutanese residents facing medical or financial difficulties, ensuring that insurance coverage is assessed before providing aid. The most vulnerable, he noted, are those on tourist visas without overseas health insurance, who face the highest challenges in cases of illness or accidents.
So far this year, ABPI has initiated two donation drives—one for an illness case and another for this death. From July to December last year, the association organized seven fundraising efforts, including one for a death, one for an accident, and the rest for medical emergencies.
Despite these challenges, Chimmi emphasized that Bhutanese in Perth are generally doing well, both those studying and those working. Perth is home to over 30,000 Bhutanese, making it the largest Bhutanese community in Australia.
Beyond providing aid during crises, ABPI plays a key role in organizing major events, including National Day celebrations, Royal Birthdays, Bhutanese concerts, and official document attestations, such as for loan cases in Bhutan. The association also assists in resolving disputes among couples, managing census registrations for newborns, and supporting Bhutanese families in need.
