Bhutan has offered free universal healthcare for all citizens since the 1970s. there is no privatization of personnel or any institution except for one private health clinic in Thimphu.
As of 2013, there are 32 hospitals across Bhutan. T
he capital Thimphu had 5 hospitals, while Chukha, Samtse, and Trashigang Districts each had 3. Every dzongkhag has several smaller medical facilities, and Thimphu has an indigenous hospital facility. the most notable hospital is the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in Thimphu.
These hospitals and smaller facilities were supported by 3 756 employees from the Ministry of Health in the following categories: 244 doctors, 957 nurses, 92 nurse's assistants, 505 health workers, 35 Dzongkhag Health Officers and Assistants, 41 drungtshos (traditional physicians), 52 smenpas (traditional physicians), 12 pharmacists, 79 pharmacy assistants and technicians, 13 lab technologists, 549 other technicians and assistants, and 1 601 administrative and support staff.
Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital- is the best health facility in Bhutan, located in Thimphu. It was named in honor of the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. It offers healthcare for both locals and even tourists who can receive basic medical treatment and advanced services and facilities such as surgical and emergency treatment, general practitioners, several specialists, labs and operating rooms, CT and MRI diagnosis equipment, 350 beds, general medicine, general surgery, orthopedics, psychiatry, dermatology, gynecology, and pediatrics.
Healthcare for foreigners living and working in Bhutan
Expatriates and tourists traveling to Bhutan are strongly advised to take out an international private health insurance policy in case of a serious illness or injury and in case they might need medical evacuation.
Private health insurance policies are usually encouraged because of factors such as low healthcare standards and poor road conditions in Bhutan. Apart from health facilities being few and far outside the capital, the facilities and standards of healthcare are significantly lower than those in better-developed countries like those of Europe and North America.
Routine Vaccinations
- Visitors to Bhutan must ensure that all their routine vaccinations are up to date. Recommended routine vaccinations include diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, polio, typhoid, varicella, Japanese B encephalitis, meningitis, rabies, and tuberculosis.
- Vaccination for yellow fever is required for entry from people coming from yellow fever prone countries.
Other Medical Facilities:
Lungtenphu Army Hospital- this is a hospital run by the army and located southeast of Lungtenzampa.
CRRH (Gelephu General Hospital) Bhutan- The Central Regional Referral Hospital is formerly known as the Gelephu General Hospital is a 100 bedded government hospital located in Gelephu. The hospital treats patients for all diseases and is one of the best hospitals in the country.
Phuentsholing General Hospital- is a 50-bed hospital equipped with a modern lab, operating theatres, and a casualty department located in Phuntsholing, Chukha District.
