Emerging disease outbreaks often expose the vulnerabilities in Bhutan’s health system, particularly the lack of research to guide swift and effective responses. The newly established Eastern Regional Health Research Centre in Monggar aims to address this gap by using data to improve healthcare and tackle health challenges.
The Monggar Regional Referral Hospital treats hundreds of patients every day from over seven districts.
The health workers see a range of diseases, some recurring, other unfamiliar.
Due to lack of research infrastructure, inadequate financial supports, and a lack of incentives, many who are willing to carry out research are unable to do so.
The Monggar hospital in the last five years, published only 15 research papers.
Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, KGUMSB inaugurated a research centre at the hospital on Saturday.
The centre will help health workers carry out research in local communities to improve healthcare, solve local health problems, and strengthen public health in rural areas.
“We currently have a very small research room at the hospital, staffed by just one person and equipped with basic IT facilities. Despite this, we have published 15 papers over the past five years. Some of these papers appeared in well-known international journals. We’ve also had opportunities to present our work at the national level, including the National Symposium in Thimphu,” said Dr. Kinzang Dorji, the research focal at the research centre in Monggar
“Our primary goal is to ensure that medicine is evidence-based—that is a key reason for establishing the centre here. Research has been neglected until now, not that it has not been conducted, but the volume has been limited. This centre will reverse that trend. Moreover, research publications are vital for career progression, so this will provide an important opportunity for our staff and doctors,” said Dr. Pelden Wangchuk, the medical superintendent of the Monggar Regional Referral Hospital.
The centre is also expected to enhance academic learning and clinical practice.
It is established through a collaborative effort between Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences and the University of Colombo in Sri Lanka.
Namgay Wangchuk, Monggar
Edited by Sangay Chezom
