In a momentous leap forward for Bhutan’s healthcare landscape, the nation proudly inaugurated its first-ever heart center at the esteemed Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) on September 7, 2023, ushering in a new era of hope for countless patients and potentially saving the government millions in cardiovascular referrals.
On September 7, the doors of the catheterization laboratory officially swung open, promising to slash government expenses on cardiovascular referral cases by an astounding 90%. The Ministry of Health heralds the launch of this cutting-edge facility as a pivotal milestone in eliminating the necessity for Bhutanese patients to seek cardiac treatment overseas, thus lightening the emotional and financial burdens on patients and their families.
This groundbreaking move is poised to substantially reduce the exorbitant costs incurred by the government due to overseas patient referrals, an expense that has annually tallied between Nu. 300-700 million. Remarkably, a significant portion of this expenditure, approximately 4%, has been dedicated to treating cardiovascular diseases alone.
Cardiovascular disease stands as a formidable health challenge in Bhutan, nestled among the noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) that occupy a prime position in the country’s national plan for prevention and control. Currently, the Ministry of Health dispatches 90% of heart-related cases abroad, resulting in substantial financial outflows.
According to records from the National Health Accounts (NHA) for 2018/19, about Nu. 27.89 million was allocated for NCDs. In the fiscal year 2018/19, the government’s health expenditure exceeded Nu. 2,335.1 million, with the subsequent fiscal year witnessing an even higher outlay at Nu. 3,117.3 million. Within this extensive expenditure, Nu. 237.46 million and Nu. 301.66 million were earmarked for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in their respective years.
Year after year, the government has consistently funneled significant funds, ranging from Nu. 300 million to Nu. 700 million, into overseas referrals, with a considerable portion allocated to addressing cardiovascular ailments.
The introduction of the heart center seamlessly aligns with Bhutan’s constitutional pledge to provide free access to fundamental public health services encompassing modern and traditional medicine. It marks a pivotal stride in tertiary healthcare, promising substantial dividends.
During the inaugural ceremony, Lyonpo Dechen Wangmo, the Minister of Health, underlined that the new laboratory would not only curtail government expenses linked to patient referrals for heart disease but also alleviate the emotional strain on patients and their families. She lamented the considerable financial losses incurred by Bhutan due to cardiovascular referrals, stating, “Bhutan loses millions in cardiovascular referral treatment.”
The freshly established cardiac catheterization laboratory now empowers swift intervention and management of diverse cardiac conditions, potentially saving lives. Lyonpo Dechen Wangmo conveyed her gratitude to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo for the unwavering support that paved the way for the Heart Center’s realization.
Dr. Mahesh Gurung, an intervention cardiologist at JDWNRH, underscored the surge in heart-related diseases in Bhutan from 2016 to 2023. Presently, more than 80% of the approximately 100 patients referred overseas annually necessitate the services of a catheterization laboratory. With the fully equipped lab now accessible domestically, timely intervention, accurate diagnosis, and treatment can be extended, effectively lightening the financial load on both the government and patients.
However, Dr. Mahesh acknowledged that managing the responsibilities with only one cardiologist presents a formidable challenge.
The recently established facility boasts cutting-edge cardiac imaging and intervention tools, empowering Bhutanese doctors to perform minimally invasive procedures and precise diagnoses for an extensive range of heart conditions. Procedures like cardiac catheterization, pivotal for diagnosing and treating coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and structural heart defects, can now be executed within the country.
Currently, there are 50 patients eagerly awaiting cardiac catheterization services, underscoring the dire need for such facilities within Bhutan.
The laboratory’s establishment was made possible through funds generously donated by His Majesty the Fourth King, following the prestigious 2022 Blue Planet Prize awarded by the Asahi Glass Foundation of Japan. It is the fervent hope that this catheterization laboratory will empower Bhutanese healthcare professionals to save lives and enhance their proficiency in cardiac care.
The state-of-the-art equipment for the facility was procured at a cost of Nu. 70 million from Wipro GE Healthcare Private Limited, a Joint Venture (JV) between General Electric Company, USA, and Wipro Enterprises Limited, India, established in 1990.
