The health ministry’s pilot project to enhance care for patients living with non-communicable diseases is recognized at the global level. Health Minister Dechen Wangmo virtually received the award of the 2022 UN Interagency Task Force and the WHO Special Programme on Primary Health Care, yesterday. This is a part of the UN General Assembly side event.
The health ministry’s Service with Care and Compassion Initiative was selected as the best intervention among eight entries.
“During the United Nations meeting, the General Assembly select a few programs that showcase very unique interventions. So this year, it has been a privilege for Bhutan to be selected for our Service with Care and Compassion This is a program that is inspired by the selfless leadership of our monarchs and royal families in a different paradigm shift,” said Lyonpo.
The initiative was launched in 2019 as a pilot project in Tsirang, Wangdue Phodrang, Punakha, and Zhemgang. Service with Care and Compassion was designed to take medical services to the people living with NCDs at their doorstep. NCDs like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are the leading cause of death worldwide.
“We’re putting the patient in the centre of the care. Instead of patients coming to the health facility being carried on a back, health workers are providing care to these patients through respective hospitals or the BHUs. The second one is on the prescription refill. So all these are facilitated through the primary health care system. We are using the primary health system to deliver specialized care,” Lyonpo added.
Encouraged by the recognition, the health ministry commits to take the initiative in other districts too.
Kinley Dem
Edited by Sonam
