DEMOCRACY IN ACTION

The Ministry of Health (MoH) is finalizing the Revised Ex-Country Referral Guidelines, 2nd Edition 2025, aiming to ensure that patients receive timely, safe, and high-quality treatment abroad while making efficient use of public resources. “The purpose of this revision is to help patients get the best treatment possible and to …

The Ministry of Health (MoH) is pressing ahead with its plan to strengthen Thromde Health Centers (THCs), or filter clinics, in Thimphu to address chronic overcrowding at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH). Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk said that three THCs are already operational in the capital, each staffed …

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has proposed reducing the permissible blood alcohol concentration for drivers from 0.08 percent to 0.05 percent, as part of new measures to curb the growing health risks from alcohol, tobacco, areca nut, and related products. The proposal is part of a wider effort that MoH …

In response to a question on the Paro valley from Isuna to Tsento coming under a LAP and concerns of people on the extent of land pooling and if Paro could end up like Kabesa in Thimphu or Dekiling in Bumthang with planning taking forever and no infrastructure put in …

Globally, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes are responsible for nearly 80 percent of deaths, claiming around 41 million lives each year, with 77 percent occurring in low- and middle-income countries.  Bhutan mirrors this global trend, with the Ministry of Health (MoH) reporting …

Thimphu Thromde has intensified efforts to improve road safety and reduce traffic congestion in South Thimphu, undertaking a series of infrastructure projects that range from replacing outdated speed bumps with modern speed bumps to building underpasses and roundabouts. The works, which began in mid-July, are part of a broader plan …

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment (MoICE) has set a national target of generating 65,000 new industrial jobs by 2035. The target falls under the Industrial Development Ecosystem, which outlines seven expected outcomes with multiple national targets to drive industrial growth. It also seeks to ensure that 40 percent …

Sign language plays a crucial role in bridging the communication gap for persons with hearing impairments and ensuring their meaningful participation in society. It is not merely an alternative form of communication but an essential language that allows deaf individuals to express themselves, access information, and engage socially. In Bhutan, …

In a significant move to strengthen democratic transparency and accountability, Bhutan’s Parliament and the media have officially signed a comprehensive engagement strategy designed to enhance collaboration, improve information flow, and promote responsible journalism. The strategy, developed through an open dialogue during the Media-Parliament Symposium held from 11th to 13th August …

Bhutan launched its first National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), a centralised digital platform providing accurate, standardised maps and geospatial data to all government agencies, private stakeholders, and the public. Unveiled by Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay and supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the NSDI is designed to …