Emergency Medicine Services

Bhutan is seeing a significant rise in the number of vehicle-related and unintentional injuries, as well as increasing threats of natural disasters. But in a country with rugged and mountainous terrain, transport to the nearest health-care facility can take hours, which is critical to patient care. The Bhutan Foundation is working to address these issues by building Bhutan’s capacity in emergency medical services.

Building Local In-Country Training Capacity

When the Bhutan Foundation launched its Emergency Medicine program in 2009, Bhutan had no emergency physicians. Through training, mentorship, and international collaboration, the program helped develop Bhutan’s first emergency medicine specialists and local trainers. In 2013, the Foundation supported the establishment of the National Emergency Education Center in Thimphu, staffed by a Bhutanese team and continuing to provide essential training for healthcare workers across the country.

Strengthening Pre-Hospital Care Services

Pre-hospital care plays a vital role in saving lives by providing immediate assistance and safe transport during emergencies. The Foundation has trained first responders, including ambulance drivers, police, firefighters, and taxi drivers. In 2018, it also supported the training and equipping of the Bhutan Emergency Aeromedical Retrieval (BEAR) Team, enabling skilled doctors and nurses to provide emergency care and safely transport patients from remote communities to healthcare facilities.

Providing Essential Medical Equipment and Supplies

Along with trainings, we provide donations of essential medical equipment and supplies, so that trained healthcare workers can carry out their essential services. We have donated equipment such as ultrasound machines, cardiac monitors, and photometers. We even donated Bhutan’s first fully equipped EMS ambulance. The donated equipment is being used in ambulances, helicopters, basic health units, and hospitals across Bhutan. We have also equipped the National Emergency Training Center with simulation mannikins, CPR mannikins, and other training resources so that practicing nurses and doctors can get hands-on experience.

TRAUMA ACCOUNTS FOR 11% OF THE GLOBAL BURDEN OF DISEASE IN LOW-AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES

BHUTAN PROVIDES FREE HEALTH CARE FOR ALL ITS CITIZENS

Flight hours conducted by the BEAR team in 5 years

Patients airlifted in 5 years

Place of operations–Thimphu and Bumthang

BEAR team members in Thimphu and Bumthang

Did you Know?

The Royal Government of Bhutan Spends around 7.4 – 11.4% of total government expenditure on health

Four local CSOs provide services for individuals with disabilities

Our Partners

The Bhutan Foundation is partnering with Bhutan’s Ministry of Health to improve emergency medical services in Bhutan. Trainings are conducted through the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital’s Emergency Education Center. Curriculum and training programs are developed in collaboration with Phelps Memorial Hospital Center in New York, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, and Health Volunteers Overseas.

Photos from the Field

How You Can Help

The Bhutan Foundation needs donations in order to provide medical equipment and support for training Bhutan’s doctors and nurses. Your support will improve the lives of all Bhutanese through providing better emergency care, step by step.