The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The budget for the proposed National Oncology Center or Cancer Hospital is Nu 4.499 bn. This proposed budget is inclusive of infrastructure and medical equipment. However, human resources and furniture are not included.
During the meeting with the Foreign Secretary of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar on October 3rd, 2017, Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, proposed the construction of a National Oncology Center in Thimphu with financial assistance from the Government of India (GoI), as a milestone activity to be undertaken as part of the celebration for the Golden Jubilee of diplomatic relations between Bhutan and India.
Consequent to the discussion between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan, Embassy of India and other stakeholders on December 6th 2017, the Indian Embassy officially invited the Ministry of Health (MoH) to submit a proposal including the quantum of assistance required from GoI.
The Embassy further expressed their support to the MoH in providing technical assistance for preparing the technical requirements of the proposal, including detailed designing and cost-estimation.
MoH in collaboration with the JDWNRH developed and submitted a comprehensive proposal to the Embassy of India.
MoH expressed their concern regarding the expertise on the designing, cost estimation and Human Resource components for the construction of the proposed National Oncology Center. Following which the Embassy sent four high-level technical experts to discuss the proposal and provide recommendations to the MoH.
As per the discussion, the four-member team will submit a report including appropriate recommendations to assist the RGoB in taking appropriate decisions to undertake the proposed National Oncology Center.
The site of the proposed 100 bedded National Oncology Center is at Gidakom, Thimphu.
Likewise, the objective of the proposed National Oncology Center is primary prevention of cancer by health education, secondary prevention, (early detection and diagnosis of cancer by screening methods), strengthening existing cancer treatment facilities which is inadequate, establish and integrate cancer research training program, provide palliative care in terminal stage of cancer, to decongest JDWNRH and to provide an environment which is peaceful and soothing for the patients
Services include Surgical Oncology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Anesthesiology, Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, Research and Preventive Oncology, Nuclear Medicine, Cancer Imaging, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Onco-pathology, Onco-pharmaceutical, Nursing and Specialized clinics.
