If things work according to the plan, the country’s healthcare system could make ex-country referrals possible for more diseases requiring advanced medical treatment. The health ministry proposes referrals for bone marrow and stem cell transplants for blood cancer, liver transplant for non-alcoholic liver failure, and advanced heart procedures. During the Meet the Press Session today, the health minister said the ministry is finalising the revised Ex-Country Referral Guidelines 2025.
The revised guideline also seeks to increase the age limit for kidney transplant patients from 65 to 70 years, which would benefit more patients currently undergoing dialysis.
It also proposes ways to ease kidney transplants so that patients can find matching donors more easily and get treated faster.
The minister said advanced procedures such as bone marrow and stem cell transplants for blood cancers and immune system disorders, have an encouraging survival rate.
“The reason for drafting these new rules is to make sure patients get timely, safe and quality treatment in hospitals outside the country.”
To reduce the financial burden on families, the draft guideline also proposes increasing the daily allowance for patients and their attendants to Nu 400 each, up from the current Nu 150 for patients and Nu 125 for attendants.
The minister said the proposals have not yet been approved. He added that the total cost will have to be reviewed, discussed with the finance ministry, and finally get approval from the Cabinet.
According to records, more than 1,200 patients were referred abroad in the last financial year, for which the government spent Nu 730 M.
Samten Dolkar
Edited by Phub Gyem
