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Jigmi Wangdi
The government is investing N7 billion in the health sector, indicating that the health of the people is the government’s top priority.
The Ministry of Health received Nu 1.17 billion, the Bhutan Food and Drug Administration received Nu 207.661 million, the Pema Secretariat received Nu 168.06 million, the Bhutan State Health Services received Nu 376.79 million, and the National Health Services received Nu 508.54 million.
The 13th Five-Year Plan report pointed out that Bhutan is fighting infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, zoonotic diseases and the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. At the same time, non-communicable diseases are also placing an increasing burden on the health system, accounting for more than 73% of the country’s deaths.
The report emphasizes that in less than 20 years, the proportion of chronic diseases in the national disease burden has increased dramatically from 35% to 62%.
Likewise, mental health problems are on the rise, with anxiety, depression, and mental and behavioral disorders due to alcohol and drug abuse being the most common. Anxiety and depression problems are most common among those aged 15-19 (16.2%).
Another major challenge currently facing the health sector is the loss of health personnel. The overall loss rate recorded in January this year was 11.25%. The current ratio of doctors and nurses per 10,000 population is 3.3 and 14.1 respectively, which is far below the required level according to the report.
The report highlights that with rising health costs, advances in health technologies, increasing public expectations, rapidly increasing rates of non-communicable diseases and an aging population, the sustainability of health systems has become a major concern.
“Health governance systems and the management of health facilities and services require reforms to ensure timely, high-quality interventions with a focus on early detection and prevention,” the report states.
Prevention is the key?
To address growing concerns about non-communicable diseases and health costs, and to improve service delivery in the health sector, the Government will work towards achieving seven outcomes.
The main goal of the program is to ensure that the people of Bhutan lead a healthier lifestyle and minimize risk factors for NCDs such as smoking, excessive alcohol and betel nut consumption, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet, which require behavioral changes among the population.
The Government is also committed to eliminating or controlling priority diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, zoonotic diseases, neglected tropical diseases and emerging infectious diseases.
There is also a focus on strengthening monitoring and regulatory systems to ensure that medicines, vaccines, biologics and medical devices meet high standards and are safe, and that food is safe to consume.
Other focus areas of the deliverables include improved access to quality health and health-related services and products, an adequate and competent health workforce, sustainable health financing systems and innovative governance, and harnessing information and technology to improve health system efficiency.
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