With the increasing number of non-communicable diseases, the need for timely detection, screening, and treatment has become vital. To address this, the health ministry has come up with an online dashboard to manage and monitor the patient’s treatment status. This was highlighted during the eighth International Conference on Medical and Health Sciences in Thimphu. Through the dashboard, health workers can access the patient records irrespective of their locations.
The online dashboard is part of the Service with Care and Compassion Initiatives, which started in 2019.
The initiative aims to provide people-centred healthcare services for non-communicable diseases at a community level so that every patient continues their treatment.
For instance, if a patient moves to another district, the former health worker can access the patient’s treatment and make sure he or she does not stop treatment.
This can be accessed through the online dashboard.
“It is patient-based. Their phone numbers and CID are recorded so, the patients can get called. Therefore, there is recall and reminder. This again increases the compliance of the treatment of patients. Why we are having trouble with NCDs is treatment compliance is pretty poor. Ultimately, the disease will be under control,” said Dr Karma Tenzin, Lead Core Member of SCCI from Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan.
He added that for now, the online dashboard is independent from the electronic Patient Information System or ePIS, but will soon be integrated with the system.
There are nearly 23,000 patients registered on the dashboard. The initiative is now being implemented in all districts and thromdes.
Further, the health ministry is also coming up with other plans and policies to address the rising number of non-communicable diseases.
“Immediately, the Ministry of Health is trying to come up with a robust screening programme. We will be implementing this throughout the nation by the end of this year, where we will screen almost everybody, and every eligible population on different aspects of NCDs and ensure that those who are at risk and those who do have some form of NCDs are getting the appropriate treatment and management,” said Laigden Dzed, a chief programme officer.
The ministry also plans to further advocate on healthy behavioural change.
Health experts say the risk factors of non-communicable diseases such as alcohol, tobacco, obesity, dietary habits, and physical activity can be positively changed through healthy behavioural change.
Singye Dema
Edited by Tshering Zam
