Agency: The Ministry of Health (MoH) is pressing ahead with its plan to strengthen Thromde Health Centers (THCs), or filter clinics, in Thimphu to address chronic overcrowding at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH).
Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk said that three THCs are already operational in the capital, each staffed with at least two General Duty Medical Officers (GDMO) doctor and one General Practitioner (GP) doctors. A fourth center at the Royal Bhutan Police ground is undergoing minor renovation works and is expected to begin services in the coming months. A fifth clinic will also be established at the multi-level car park near the Thromde Office.
“These centers will be equipped with diagnostic services and pharmacies, so patients can receive full primary care without needing to go to JDWNRH,” Lyonpo explained. To make the facilities effective, MoH has requested the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) for additional doctors and nurses, with plans to place one GP and two GDMO in each center.
The ministry is also preparing to overhaul the referral and appointment system at JDWNRH, with technical support from the Bhutan Innovation Lab. Once the filter clinics are fully operational, JDWNRH will no longer accept walk-in patients. Instead, patients will require referrals from the THCs or other dzongkhag health facilities.
“This is to ensure JDWNRH remains focused on its role as the national referral hospital, providing advanced and specialized treatment,” Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk said.
To make the transition smooth, MoH will soon roll out a nationwide awareness campaign using television, radio, social media, and community outreach. The campaign will encourage people to visit THCs for primary healthcare needs, while JDWNRH will function primarily as a specialist hospital.
At the heart of these reforms, MoH stressed, is a vision of an accessible, equitable, and efficient health system for all Bhutanese.
Noticing the crowding at JDWNRH the minister said they did a study and found that while the population has not gone up one reason is life expectancy has gone up and so as people get older there is more illness.
Another issue is the lack of a district hospital in Thimphu.
