The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Every BHU I across the country will receive X-ray machine and USG in the coming year. This is one of the major programs of the ministry for the year 2019.
Health Minister Lyonpo Dechen Wangmo said, “Immediately, in the coming year, we will provide X-ray and USG to BHU I”. She said the investment is to improve equity in delivering the benefits of health services in strengthening health care in the Dzongkhags.
Likewise, the Ministry of Health (MOH) also plans to strengthen the capacity of the laboratory facilities of the BHU I through provision of vaccine carriers, Hematology and Biochemistry analyzers. “The basic goal, in the long run, is to bring about improved health services closer to the community and also reduce referral cost both to the individuals as well as the state”.
The infection control and waste management in peripheral health facilities will also receive investment from the government. “People can look forward to a more accessible and quality health care services” she added.
Another big plan for the coming year in the health sector is to prioritize health as a precursor to national development, Lyonpo mentioned that the health ministry is working towards a stronger collaboration between the sectors to prioritize health as a precursor to national development. “The government is keen to discuss on the National Health Bill which will facilitate improvement of the overall national health outcome and thereby improve citizen wellbeing”.
After the first session of the parliament endorses the 12th five year plan, she said that the health ministry like any other sector will have to prioritize to prepare the annual work plan. “So the work plan prioritization will identify the actual projects that are to be taken as priority for each consecutive year for the next five years of the plan period”.
Most definitely, she said the health ministry will continue to invest more appropriately in enhancing health education through health promotion and disease prevention in addition to other normal health activities.
The Chief Planning officer, MoH, Tashi Penjor said the priority for the ministry apart from plans and implementations would be preparation for the establishment of Oncology (Cancer) Centre and ENT Centre. “This is mainly to reduce the impending referral cost outside the country” he added having these centers in country would help broaden the health diplomacy by building research capacity within country with cancer and chronic disease.
Among others, the flagship program under preparation is to take screening services package to the community for preventable cancers and chronic diseases. The services includes strengthening Non-communicable Disease (NCD) screening, PAP smear, visual inspection of oral cancers, disability screening, amongst others and subsequently improving the capacity of the relevant health facility and the competency of the health professionals to deliver the package.
