Some complex surgeries that currently require Bhutanese patients to seek treatment abroad could eventually be performed in the country with support from Thai medical specialists. The National Medical Services and the National Referral Hospital signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health. The MoU will help strengthen cooperation to transfer specialised skills and technology, particularly in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery and chronic kidney disease treatment.
Thailand and Bhutan have been collaborating over the years for professional development and knowledge exchange between medical professionals.
One example is the country’s first renal transplant, performed at the National Referral Hospital in 2023, where doctors performed the surgery with the guidance of Thai medical professionals.
Under the new MoU, more complex surgeries will be conducted through similar collaboration, allowing medical professionals to gain hands-on experience and build expertise in specialised areas.
Thailand’s Minister of Public Health, Pattana Promphat, said, “One of the main focuses is laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery, which is a complicated surgery. And we have the expertise in Thailand, so we could help a lot and share our experience with the doctors in Bhutan. Also, one more thing that we discussed with Tandin Wangchuk, the Minister of Health of Bhutan and we are exploring the opportunity to help each other and technology transfer to Bhutan for chronic kidney disease, or CKD.”
According to the health ministry, providing more specialised treatment within the country could reduce the need for patients to travel abroad, particularly for procedures that are costly and difficult to access.
Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk said, “This is to ensure the country can do the kidney transplant domestically. It’s not only that, but we are also planning other collaborations. Importantly, some patients are travelling to Thailand for surgeries; however, the government does not formally refer them due to the high costs involved. We are exploring the possibility of reducing the cost of medical services for Bhutanese patients in Thailand.”
According to the health minister, the MoU is a renewal of an agreement that recently expired and will remain in effect for five years.
According to the Health Ministry, building the skills of Bhutanese medical professionals and strengthening institutional capacity will pave the way for more advanced, specialised healthcare services in hospitals across the country.
Singye Dema
Edited by Sangay Chezom
