AGP Executive Report

Renal Care Upgrade: Bhutan’s first Peritoneal Dialysis Service has been launched at JDWNRH, giving eligible kidney-failure patients a home-based option after training and follow-up, potentially reducing frequent travel to dialysis centres. Mental Health Services: JDWNRH’s psychiatric ward is set to be relocated to the new PEMA Centre as rising patient numbers and safety concerns—absconding and violent incidents linked to severe mental illness—have made the current ward inadequate. Child Protection Alarm: Parents of two students allegedly assaulted with a rubber pipe by a Shaba HSS teacher say the harm has gone beyond bruises, affecting emotional, psychological and schooling outcomes as legal proceedings continue. Disaster Preparedness Check: A full-scale Thimphu earthquake drill (7.5 scenario) exposed gaps in emergency equipment and resource mobilisation, testing coordination between authorities, hospitals and responders with Nepal’s technical support. Health-Adjacent Development: India’s latest PTA tranche for Bhutan includes major health funding—renovation of Gelephu Hospital, support for traditional medicine services, and a new Selwa Centre for persons with disabilities. Sports for Wellbeing: Bhutan is strengthening school sports via curriculum-linked Sports and Physical Activities, aiming for mass participation, fitness and mental-emotional wellbeing.

Peritoneal Dialysis in Bhutan: JDWNRH has launched the country’s first Peritoneal Dialysis Service, giving eligible kidney-failure patients a home-based option and easing pressure on dialysis centres. Mental Health Care Upgrade: JDWNRH’s psychiatric ward is set to be relocated to the new 60-bedded PEMA Centre after incident reports and safety concerns linked to severe mental illness. Child Protection Spotlight: Parents of two Shaba HSS students allege a teacher struck them repeatedly with a rubber pipe, raising fresh concerns about student welfare and safeguarding. School Sports for Wellness: MoESD is rolling out school-based Sports and Physical Activities to boost fitness, mental well-being, and mass participation, supported by trained instructors. Disaster Readiness Check: A Thimphu earthquake drill for a 7.5 scenario exposed gaps in emergency equipment and coordination, with Nepal experts providing technical support. Tourism Beyond the West: Bhutan’s arrivals surged in 2026, but coverage flags an uneven spread of benefits beyond the Paro–Thimphu–Punakha circuit. Aftercare for Addiction Recovery: Phuentsholing’s Happiness Center highlights that rehab is only the start, stressing ongoing support to reduce relapse and stigma.

Disaster Readiness: Bhutan’s Thimphu earthquake drill (7.5 scenario) exposed gaps in emergency equipment and resource mobilisation, testing how authorities, hospitals and responders coordinate after mass casualties, damaged buildings, blocked roads and power disruptions, with Nepal’s NSET providing technical support. Healthcare Funding: Under India’s Project Tied Assistance, Bhutan is set to receive support for health and disability services, including renovation of Gelephu Hospital, offices for traditional medicine services, and the Selwa Centre for persons with disabilities, alongside disaster-preparedness upgrades like a National Emergency Operations Centre. Kidney Care Access: Peritoneal dialysis has been launched in Bhutan, offering home-based treatment for kidney failure patients as an alternative to hospital haemodialysis, aiming to cut travel time and costs. Mental Health Expansion: PEMA has widened mental health and protection services nationwide, including maternal mental health screening through Mother and Child Health services, teacher wellbeing training, and adolescent screening tools. TB Response: Bhutan’s Ministry of Health is stepping up prevention and early diagnosis for drug-resistant TB, focusing on case finding, contact screening and community interventions while maintaining high treatment success rates. Wellbeing & Community: A week-long spiritual event in Chatham highlights peace, mutual respect and community unity, with organizers noting potential mental health benefits through social connection. Energy & Resources: Druk Holding Investments is advancing geothermal exploration at Bhutan’s hot spring sites with partners including the World Bank and Iceland GeoSurvey, supporting a broader shift beyond hydropower. Public Health Policy Context: A parliamentary panel in India recommends reforms to make private hospital billing more affordable and transparent, including benchmarking basic room tariffs.

Disaster Preparedness: Bhutan’s Thimphu earthquake drill (7.5 scenario) with Nepal’s technical support flagged gaps in emergency equipment and how hospitals and responders coordinate, as authorities tested decision-making, rescue operations and resource mobilisation for the Thimphu Earthquake Contingency Plan. Healthcare Funding (India–Bhutan): Under India’s Project Tied Assistance, Bhutan is set to receive new support for health and disability services, including renovation of Gelephu Hospital, offices for the National Centre for Traditional Medicine Services and a National Traditional Medicine Hospital, and the Selwa Centre for persons with disabilities, alongside disaster preparedness funding for a National Emergency Operations Centre. Kidney Care Access: Bhutan launched home-based peritoneal dialysis (PD), offering a lower-cost alternative to hospital haemodialysis for kidney failure patients and reducing travel burdens. TB Control: Bhutan’s Ministry of Health is stepping up efforts against drug-resistant TB with earlier diagnosis, contact screening and community interventions, while noting a gap between estimated and notified cases but maintaining a treatment success rate above 90%. Maternal & Child Support: Bhutan’s Third Child Plus Programme continues monthly cash support for eligible families, including Bhutanese living abroad who opt in. Mental Health Expansion: PEMA has expanded mental health and protection services nationwide, including maternal mental health screening, teacher training for wellbeing, and adolescent screening tools. Health Policy Watch (Regional): A parliamentary panel in India urged reforms to improve affordability and transparency in private hospital billing, including benchmarking basic room tariffs.

Disaster Preparedness: Bhutan’s Thimphu ran a full-scale earthquake drill simulating a 7.5 quake, exposing gaps in emergency equipment and coordination across authorities, hospitals and responders, with Nepal experts supporting the exercise under the Thimphu Earthquake Contingency Plan. Healthcare Funding & Access: India’s latest Project Tied Assistance tranche for Bhutan includes major health support—renovation of Gelephu Hospital, funding for the National Centre for Traditional Medicine Services and National Traditional Medicine Hospital, and a new Selwa Centre for persons with disabilities—along with disaster-preparedness upgrades like a National Emergency Operations Centre. TB Control: Bhutan’s Ministry of Health is stepping up prevention and early diagnosis for drug-resistant tuberculosis, aiming to close detection gaps while maintaining a treatment success rate above 90%. Mental Health Services: PEMA has expanded mental health and protection services nationwide, including maternal mental health screening, teacher training for wellbeing, and adolescent screening tools. Food Safety: BFDA tightened mango import testing after calcium carbide was detected in consignments, warning of potential harmful residues. Kidney Care at Home: Peritoneal dialysis was launched in Bhutan, offering kidney patients a lower-cost home-based option instead of frequent hospital travel. Connectivity for Health & Travel: India added new e-Visa entry points, including Jaigaon and Darranga on the India-Bhutan border, which could ease travel routes for visitors and patients.

Homegrown kidney care: Bhutan launched home-based peritoneal dialysis (PD), giving kidney patients a lower-cost option instead of frequent hospital haemodialysis trips. TB control push: Bhutan’s Ministry of Health is stepping up prevention, early diagnosis, contact screening and community support to tackle drug-resistant TB, while noting treatment success remains above 90%. Mental health expansion: PEMA has broadened mental health and protection services nationwide, including maternal mental health screening, teacher training for wellbeing, and adolescent screening tools. Food safety crackdown: BFDA tightened mango import controls after calcium carbide was detected in consignments, increasing lab testing and surveillance. Health system upgrades via India PTA: New India-funded projects include renovating Gelephu Hospital, setting up a National Traditional Medicine Hospital and Selwa Centre for persons with disabilities, plus disaster response capacity. Disaster resilience training: Bhutan is training engineers and planners to assess and retrofit infrastructure for hazards like earthquakes and floods, aiming to reduce future damage. Local livelihoods at stake: Cordyceps collectors in Naro Gewog withheld sales after prices fell, citing limited buyer competition and uncertainty. Early childhood flexibility: ECCD centres may adjust operating hours based on local needs, as long as child safety and developmental quality are maintained.

Highland Support Push: Bhutan’s Home Affairs Ministry is setting up a Special Technical Committee to assess highlanders’ winter and livelihood challenges, with 10 districts (including Thimphu) nominating representatives across sectors like health, education, agriculture, tourism and infrastructure. Training for Safer Care: A pilot study explores how one-to-one supervision during a private hospital anesthesia rotation can improve medical students’ rural clinical learning and patient-safety skills. TB Control Focus: The Ministry of Health says it’s stepping up prevention, early diagnosis, contact screening and community action to tackle drug-resistant TB, while noting treatment success stays above 90%. Mental Health Expansion: PEMA has broadened mental health and protection services nationwide, including maternal mental health screening, teacher training, and adolescent wellbeing screening. Kidney Care at Home: Peritoneal dialysis is now available in Bhutan, offering kidney patients a home-based option instead of repeated hospital travel. Food Safety Crackdown: BFDA tightened import controls after calcium carbide was found in imported Langra mangoes, requiring testing before release. Complex Surgeries Collaboration: Bhutan and Thailand signed an MoU to support more advanced procedures, including laparoscopic/endoscopic surgery and chronic kidney disease treatment. Private Hospital Bill Pressure (India): A parliamentary panel in India recommends major pricing and transparency reforms for private hospital billing.

Bhutan Health Funding & Services: India’s latest Project Tied Assistance tranche will back Bhutan’s health and disability support, including renovation of Gelephu Hospital and funding for the National Centre for Traditional Medicine Services and the National Traditional Medicine Hospital, plus the Selwa Centre for persons with disabilities. Drug-Resistant TB Focus: Bhutan’s Ministry of Health is stepping up prevention, early diagnosis, contact screening and community action to tackle drug-resistant TB, while noting TB case detection gaps but maintaining a treatment success rate above 90%. Mental Health Expansion: PEMA has broadened mental health and protection services nationwide, adding maternal mental health screening in all 20 dzongkhags, training teachers in wellbeing, and rolling out adolescent screening tools. Kidney Care at Home: Peritoneal dialysis is now available in Bhutan’s capital, offering kidney patients a home-based option that can cut travel time and costs. Food Safety Alert: BFDA tightened controls on imported mangoes after calcium carbide was found in multiple samples, requiring testing before release—especially for Langra mangoes. Family Support: Bhutan clarified that the Third Child Plus Programme includes eligible Bhutanese families living abroad, with monthly cash support to ease child-raising costs. Disaster Readiness: Bhutan is training engineers and planners to assess and retrofit infrastructure for hazards like earthquakes and floods, aiming to make buildings and services more disaster-resilient.

Home Dialysis in Bhutan: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is now available at home, offering kidney patients a cheaper, more convenient alternative to hospital haemodialysis, with the Bhutan Kidney Foundation noting hundreds of people need dialysis. Private Hospital Costs: India’s parliamentary panel urged major pricing reforms for private hospitals, including benchmarking basic room tariffs to nearby three-star hotel rates and pushing for clearer, more standardised billing. DR-TB Push: Bhutan’s Ministry of Health is stepping up prevention and early diagnosis for drug-resistant tuberculosis, aiming to close gaps in case detection while maintaining high treatment success. Mental Health Expansion (PEMA): The PEMA Secretariat has broadened mental health and protection services nationwide, including maternal mental health screening, teacher training, and school wellbeing support. Food Safety (BFDA Mango Crackdown): BFDA tightened import controls after calcium carbide was found in imported mangoes, requiring testing before release—especially for Langra consignments. Family Support (Third Child Plus): Bhutan clarified that the Third Child Plus Programme includes eligible Bhutanese families living abroad, with monthly cash support to ease child-rearing costs. ECCD Flexibility: Early childhood centres may adjust operating hours based on local needs, as long as child safety, quality, and developmental support are maintained. Complex Surgeries with Thailand: Bhutan and Thailand signed an MoU to expand specialised care, including laparoscopic/endoscopic surgery and chronic kidney disease treatment.

Kidney Care at Home: Bhutan has launched home-based peritoneal dialysis (PD) in the capital, offering a lower-cost alternative to hospital haemodialysis for kidney failure patients and easing travel burdens. Private Hospital Costs: A parliamentary panel in India urged major pricing reforms for private hospitals, including benchmarking basic room tariffs to nearby three-star hotel rates and pushing for clearer billing. TB Fight: Bhutan’s MoH is stepping up action against drug-resistant TB with earlier diagnosis, contact screening, and community support, while noting detection gaps but reporting treatment success above 90%. Mental Health Expansion: PEMA has broadened mental health and protection services nationwide, including maternal mental health screening, teacher training, and adolescent wellbeing screening tools. Food Safety Watch: BFDA tightened mango import controls after calcium carbide was found in multiple samples, requiring testing before release. Family Support: Bhutan clarified that the Third Child Plus Programme also covers eligible Bhutanese families living abroad. Health & Wellness Spotlight: Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness pioneer Dr Saamdu Chetri will join wellness leaders at India’s World Happiness Summit 2026 in Bengaluru.

Home Dialysis Access: Bhutan launched home-based peritoneal dialysis (PD) in the capital, offering kidney patients a more convenient, lower-cost alternative to hospital haemodialysis. Mental Health Expansion: PEMA has scaled up mental health and protection services nationwide, including maternal mental health screening in all 20 dzongkhags, teacher training, and adolescent wellbeing screening for Classes X–XII. TB Response: The Ministry of Health is strengthening drug-resistant tuberculosis prevention and early diagnosis, aiming to close gaps in case detection while maintaining high treatment success. Food Safety Watch: BFDA tightened import controls on mangoes after calcium carbide was found in samples, requiring testing before release—another reminder that food safety is a public health priority. Complex Care at Home: Bhutan and Thailand signed an MoU to support specialised procedures, including laparoscopic/endoscopic surgery and chronic kidney disease treatment. Family Support: The Third Child Plus Programme now clearly applies to eligible Bhutanese families living abroad, with monthly cash support. Early Childhood Flexibility: ECCD centres may adjust operating hours based on local needs, as long as child safety and learning quality stay intact. Disaster-Ready Infrastructure: Engineers and planners are being trained to assess and retrofit structures for disaster resilience. Global Heat Alert: UN reporting flags July as the second-warmest on record, with health professionals still working through extreme heat and weather risks. Tobacco Policy Context: A new global roundup highlights Bhutan’s strict tobacco ban approach and smoke-free rules in public places.

Mental Health Expansion: Bhutan’s PEMA has widened mental health and protection services nationwide, adding maternal mental health screening in all 20 dzongkhags, training 500+ teachers, and rolling out adolescent wellbeing screening for Classes X–XII. TB Control: The Ministry of Health is stepping up prevention and early diagnosis for drug-resistant tuberculosis, aiming to improve case finding and contact screening while maintaining a treatment success rate above 90%. Family Support: The Third Child Plus Programme now clearly includes eligible Bhutanese families living abroad, offering monthly cash support to ease child-rearing costs amid declining fertility. Food Safety: BFDA tightened mango import rules after calcium carbide was found in multiple samples, requiring testing before release and adding stronger border and market surveillance. Complex Care at Home: Bhutan and Thailand signed an MoU to expand specialised procedures in Bhutan, including laparoscopic/endoscopic surgery and chronic kidney disease treatment. Early Childhood Flexibility: ECCD centres may adjust operating hours based on local needs, as long as child safety, quality and developmental support are maintained. Cordyceps Market Watch: In Thimphu’s Naro Gewog, some collectors held back cordyceps sales after auction prices disappointed, citing limited buyer competition and uncertainty for highland incomes. Disaster-Ready Planning: Engineers and planners were trained to strengthen infrastructure against disasters, focusing on site study and retrofitting for earthquake and hazard resilience.

DR-TB Push: Bhutan’s Ministry of Health is stepping up action against drug-resistant tuberculosis with earlier diagnosis, contact screening, and community-based interventions, while noting treatment success stays above 90% even as case detection rates have dropped. Family Health Support: The Third Child Plus Programme will provide monthly cash support to eligible Bhutanese families raising a third child, including those living abroad, as the country responds to declining fertility. Breastfeeding Access: Health officials say lactation management units will be expanded to all districts by year-end, with counselling and safe milk storage support—currently available in 14 districts. Food Safety Watch: BFDA has tightened import controls on mangoes after calcium carbide was found in multiple samples, requiring testing before release to protect consumers. Surgery Skills Transfer: Bhutan plans to expand complex surgeries at home with Thai medical specialists, building capacity in laparoscopic/endoscopic procedures and chronic kidney disease care. Regional Heat Alert: Global reporting flags July as the second warmest on record, with health teams still working through extreme heat and weather risks.

Food Safety Watch: BFDA tightened mango import rules after calcium carbide was found in multiple consignments, with testing expanding beyond initial samples and Langra mangoes now facing stricter pre-release checks. Specialist Care at Home: Bhutan’s National Medical Services and National Referral Hospital signed an MoU with Thailand to build capacity for complex laparoscopic/endoscopic surgeries and chronic kidney disease treatment, building on earlier Thai-guided renal transplant work. Maternal & Newborn Support: The health ministry plans to expand lactation management units to all districts by year-end, aiming to give mothers skilled counselling and support—especially for sick or preterm newborns. Access to Care: Patients at Damphu Hospital in Tsirang report consultation tokens running out quickly, but the hospital says the core issue is doctor shortage. Family Policy Clarification: Government clarified that the Third Child Plus Programme applies to eligible Bhutanese families living overseas, not only those residing in Bhutan. Early Childhood Flexibility: ECCD centres may adjust operating hours based on local needs while keeping quality and safety standards. Health Diplomacy: A free eye camp in Bangladesh’s Thakurgaon treated about 3,000 people, with cataract surgeries and follow-up services. Climate & Health Risk: UN-linked reporting says July was the second warmest on record, with extreme heat and weather pushing health and emergency teams to stay on duty.

ECCD Operating Hours: Bhutan’s Ministry of Education says ECCD centres can adjust daily hours to match local needs, as long as child safety, quality learning and developmental support stay intact. Centres must still meet the minimum five-hour weekday requirement, with flexibility approved by the Centre Management Committee when demand is clear. Maternal & Newborn Care: The health ministry plans to expand lactation management units to all districts by year-end, aiming to give mothers skilled breastfeeding counselling and support—especially for sick and preterm newborns. Workforce & Training: Singapore is bringing more Bhutanese nurses into public healthcare through the Asian Nursing Scholarship, with around 40 Bhutanese scholars now serving in Singapore’s system. Food Safety: BFDA tightened controls on imported Langra mangoes after calcium carbide was found in 12 of 34 samples, requiring testing before release. Access to Care: Tsirang’s Damphu Hospital token limits are leaving some patients without same-day consultations, with local leaders pointing to delays while the hospital cites doctor shortages. Family Support Policy: Government clarified that the Third Child Plus Programme applies to eligible Bhutanese families living overseas, not only those residing in Bhutan. Local Governance: The Election Commission set the second phase of the Fourth Local Government Elections for 205 Gewog Tshogdes and Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde Tshogde between 22 Jan and 21 Apr 2027.

Food Safety Watch: BFDA tightened controls on imported Langra mangoes after calcium carbide was found in 22 of 34 samples, requiring pre-release testing before consignments enter Bhutan’s markets. Maternal & Child Health: Bhutan’s health ministry plans to expand lactation management units to all districts by year-end, building on training for nurses and health assistants to support exclusive breastfeeding. Breastfeeding Policy Impact: A new report highlights how Bhutan’s six-month newborn leave policy helps mothers breastfeed properly, easing stress for working parents and improving early feeding support. Access to Care: Patients at Damphu Hospital in Tsirang report consultation tokens run out by late morning, often forcing repeat visits or overnight stays—blamed on doctor shortages. Demographic Support: Government clarified the Third Child Plus Programme applies to eligible Bhutanese families living overseas, with monthly cash support to address declining fertility. Workforce & Training: Singapore is bringing in more Bhutanese nurses through the Asian Nursing Scholarship, with around 40 Bhutanese scholars now serving in public healthcare. Community Recognition: British Citizen Award recipient Ani Pema Deki was honoured for long-term support for children with different abilities in Bhutan. Public Health Diplomacy: Kuwait exempted accredited diplomats from health service and medication fees, including Bhutanese representatives.