In a landmark health initiative, the Ministry of Health will launch Bhutan’s first-ever Nationwide Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) Screening programme on Thursday. This three-week program will operate across more than 1,500 screening stations throughout the country.
The National Health Survey 2023 revealed that NCDs continue to be one of the leading causes of death in Bhutan. Hypertension affects 30 per cent of the population, while diabetes has a prevalence of 6%. The Ministry’s screening initiative will focus on early detection, treatment, and referral for hypertension, diabetes, and other NCD risk factors.
Hari Prasad Pokhrel, a nutritionist at the Department of Public Health said “The primary objective of this screening programme is to target those individuals who are at risk and who may be having the disease and detect them as early as possible and put on appropriate interventions and management and control diabetes and blood pressure for better outcomes”
A special screening for civil servants will take place in collaboration with the Royal Civil Service Commission at three locations in Thimphu.
The ministry aims to screen nearly 300,000 people who are over 18 years of age. Over 1,400 health staff will be deployed to ensure the programme’s reach across the nation.
This unprecedented screening programme underscores the ministry’s commitment to proactive health management and the prevention of chronic diseases in Bhutan.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
