𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧

…𝑴𝒐𝑯 𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒌𝒊𝒅𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒛𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒈𝒔

By Kezang Choden

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has designated Trashigang Hospital as the main dialysis centre to serve patients from Trashigang, Pemagatshel, Samdrupjongkhar, and Trashiyangtse beginning in the 2025-2026 financial year. This decision is part of the government’s broader commitment to improving access to critical healthcare services in eastern Bhutan under the 13th Five Year Plan.

The initiative is expected to benefit kidney patients across the four dzongkhags by reducing travel time and ensuring more timely access to treatment. According to data from the Bhutan Kidney Foundation, Samdrupjongkhar has 22 patients requiring dialysis, while Pemagatshel has 27.

With the increasing number of kidney patients in the region, centralizing dialysis services in Trashigang is seen as a step towards strengthening specialised care. During the recent session of the National Assembly, the Member of Parliament from Dewathang-Gomdar Constituency proposed the establishment of a separate dialysis centre in Samdrupjongkhar in the 2026-2027 financial year. The proposal aims to further ease the burden on patients from Samdrupjongkhar and Pemagatshel, many of whom face challenges related to travel distance, time, and associated expenses.

The Ministry of Health has reaffirmed its commitment to the equitable and need-based distribution of dialysis services across the country. It also clarified the criteria used in selecting locations for dialysis centres, which include disease burden, accessibility, availability of infrastructure and human resources, and patient preferences.

According to the Ministry, efforts are being made to strengthen dialysis centres in Thimphu, Paro, Phuentsholing, Samtse, and Wangduephodrang. These centres serve large and diverse populations and are strategically located to improve access to dialysis services. The Ministry further explained that Trashigang was chosen for the establishment of a new dialysis centre due to its high disease burden and relatively accessible location. It also noted that the Eastern Regional Referral Hospital (ERRH) in Mongar, which already provides dialysis services, is about two and a half hours away from Trashigang.

Tashi Namgay, the Founder and Executive Director of the Bhutan Kidney Foundation, said that there are currently 188 kidney patients undergoing dialysis in the eastern dzongkhags of the country. According to data from the foundation, Mongar has the highest number with 53 patients, followed by Trashigang with 48. Pemagatshel has 27 patients, while Trashiyangtse and Lhuentse each have 18. Samdrupjongkhar has 22 patients.

Tashi Namgay said that Mongar Regional Referral Hospital is currently providing dialysis services to over 49 patients from different dzongkhags in the region. The hospital has four dialysis machines in operation. He added that the foundation continues to advocate for improved kidney care services across the country, particularly in remote areas where access remains limited.

The Ministry of Health has stated that further assessments are required before establishing a dialysis centre in Samdrupjongkhar. The evaluation will focus on patient demand, feasibility of services, and usage patterns to determine the need for such a facility in the region. The Ministry emphasized the importance of informed, data-driven decisions to ensure the long-term sustainability of healthcare infrastructure across the country.

In the meantime, the Ministry is preparing to pilot peritoneal dialysis in dzongkhags that currently do not have haemodialysis services. If the pilot is successful, the programme will offer a home-based alternative to hospital-based dialysis. This is expected to benefit patients in remote and underserved areas who face challenges accessing regular dialysis treatment.

Tashi Namgay said that while patients from Lhuentse and Mongar could continue accessing dialysis at the Eastern Regional Referral Hospital in Mongar, those from the easternmost regions would benefit from the proposed facility in Trashigang. He added that this arrangement would help patients receive timely and adequate dialysis treatment, reduce the burden of travel and living costs, and allow them to remain close to their families.

“Many patients face the emotional and social challenges of relocating for treatment. Having services closer to home can greatly improve their quality of life,” he said.

However, one of the challenges is that some patients reside in dzongkhags different from where their census is registered. This has implications for service access and support schemes. Therefore, it is important for the health authorities to consult with dialysis patients to understand their preferences and determine whether they would choose to receive treatment in Trashigang if services are made available.

The Ministry of Health has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to play an active role in raising awareness about the prevention of chronic kidney disease (CKD), a condition increasingly driven by lifestyle-related factors. During a recent engagement, the Ministry stressed that CKD is largely caused by poor diet, uncontrolled hypertension, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption. It urged all MPs to advocate for preventive health messages within their respective communities, highlighting the critical role they can play in promoting healthier living.

The Ministry stated that prevention of CKD must begin at the community level, with the involvement of all stakeholders. By encouraging healthy lifestyles, the Ministry hopes to reduce the growing burden of kidney disease across the country.