𝐓𝐞𝐧 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐨 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞

…𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔, 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒆

By Leki Chungdon

The Ministry of Health inaugurated the National Center for Traditional Medicine Services (NCTMS) and launched the National Traditional Medicine Strategy and Action Plan (2025 to 2034), marking a major milestone for Bhutan’s traditional medicine system. The event also included the signing of a Nu. 44 million grant agreement between the Ministry of Health and the Bhutan Foundation to support the development and modernisation of Bhutanese Traditional Medicine.

Developed through extensive national consultations, the ten year Strategy outlines a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen and modernise the traditional medicine sector. It aims to position Bhutanese Traditional Medicine as an effective and sustainable response to emerging health challenges while safeguarding the country’s cultural and spiritual heritage. The document emphasises the integration of traditional knowledge with modern research and technological innovation to enhance safety, efficacy and accessibility of traditional medicine services across the nation.
The Strategy also highlights opportunities to stimulate economic and employment growth.

This includes the sustainable cultivation and management of medicinal plants, the promotion of wellness tourism and the expansion of the country’s wellness and service industries. The funding will support work to strengthen public awareness and confidence in traditional medicine, promote research and innovation, integrate traditional and modern healthcare and secure the long term sustainability of traditional medicine knowledge and resources.

The partnership will also invest in developing professional expertise, improving training and building national and international collaborations to position the country as a regional centre of excellence in traditional medicine and holistic wellness.

The inauguration of the National Center for Traditional Medicine Services marks the start of an important institutional transition. The new center will bring clinical services, education, research and wellness promotion under a unified national body with the aim of improving the quality and reach of traditional medicine across the country. The Ministry of Health described the launch as a significant national milestone and encouraged the media to help raise public awareness about the future direction of traditional medicine services.

Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk said traditional medicine plays an important role in Bhutan’s identity and cultural heritage. He noted that while many countries recognise Sowa Rigpa, Bhutan remains the only nation where traditional medicine functions as a fully established national health system rather than as a centre or specialised unit.

He addressed concerns raised by some individuals who believe acupuncture should not be part of traditional medicine services. He said the primary goal is patient benefit and if a treatment helps people, it should be incorporated. He added that integrating practices like acupuncture does not dilute traditional medicine but strengthens and modernises it.

The minister emphasised that traditional medicine is not meant to replace modern medicine. He said surgeries and many advanced procedures will always fall under modern medical care. Modernising traditional medicine, he said, will enhance its effectiveness and improve services for patients.

Kinga Jampel, Director General of the Department of Health Services, said, “The National Traditional Medicine Strategy and Action Plan 2025 to 2034 serves as a ten year blueprint for the development of traditional medicine. It begins with a detailed situation analysis of the current system, outlining its strengths, weaknesses and long term goals. Our vision is to elevate traditional medicine to a world class standard and position the country as a centre of excellence in this field.”

He said, “Traditional medicine extends far beyond health service delivery. It has strong potential for economic growth and job creation, which is why a well defined strategy, strong coordination among stakeholders and a clear governance structure are essential. The Strategy also acts as a reference document for resource mobilisation, donor engagement and government budgeting, as it clearly articulates the long term direction of the traditional medicine sector.”
He added, “Our aim is to become a global leader not only in service quality but also in herbal and natural product development, wellness and therapeutic industries and even tourism and hospitality. Traditional medicine is a national treasure, deeply rooted in culture, community knowledge and GNH values such as environmental protection and medicinal plant conservation.

“The Strategy reflects all these dimensions and brings together inputs from the health, environment, tourism and other key sectors. The document was developed through extensive consultations involving traditional medicine experts, physicians, policymakers and business professionals, supported by short term consultants who contributed international perspectives.”

He said, “Traditional medicine currently functions as a division under the Department of Health Services due to earlier civil service and health sector reforms that redistributed responsibilities across departments. Under the ongoing second reform, it will be reinstated as the National Traditional Medicine Services under the National Center for GM Services, led by a GM expert with departmental level authority. The Strategy outlines clear strategic objectives and actions that will guide the implementation of key reforms and ensure progress toward the long term vision for traditional medicine. I encourage you to review the document to fully understand its scope and direction.”

Namgyal Lhendup, a Program Officer with the Traditional Medicine Division, said the establishment of NCTMS together with the National Traditional Medicine Strategy and Action Plan 2025 to 2034 marks a major step toward strengthening the delivery of high quality, accessible and future ready traditional medicine services across the country.

He said the new Center integrates clinical services, education, research, wellness initiatives and medicinal resource management under a single institution, creating stronger coordination and greater efficiency. This consolidation, he noted, will enhance the overall capacity of the traditional medicine system and raise both the quality and reach of services nationwide.

According to him, the 2025 to 2034 Strategy provides a clear long term direction aligned with national priorities. It guides the modernisation of traditional medicine, its integration with contemporary healthcare, the expansion of research and the development of wellness and therapeutic services, ensuring that traditional medicine evolves in line with emerging health needs.

He added that increased support from development partners, including major financial contributions, will enable the Center to upgrade infrastructure, drive innovation and ensure the sustainable use and conservation of medicinal resources. This positions the Sowa Rigpa system for national strengthening and broader international collaboration.
On the importance of research, he said it plays a critical role in strengthening scientific credibility by generating evidence to validate traditional formulas, diagnostic methods and treatment outcomes. Demonstrating how and why remedies work, he said, helps build public confidence and places traditional medicine on a stronger footing alongside modern healthcare.

He emphasised that research is also essential for ensuring safety and consistency. Laboratory testing, clinical studies and standardisation help determine correct dosages, identify potential side effects and understand interactions with modern medicines, ensuring that expanding traditional medicine services remain safe, effective and reliable.
He further noted that research supports innovation, sustainability and global recognition. Evidence based findings guide improved formulations, sustainable harvesting of medicinal plants and responsible production. Strong research capacity, he said, also opens opportunities for international collaboration, global promotion of Sowa Rigpa and integration of traditional medicine into sectors such as wellness and medical tourism.

He said the establishment of NCTMS and implementation of the Strategy will benefit rural communities by improving access to high quality traditional medicine services. Strengthened facilities, better trained practitioners and a more dependable supply of traditional medicines will enhance care delivery in remote areas.

He added that by linking clinical services, education, research and wellness promotion, rural health centres will receive consistent technical support and provide safer, more effective treatment closer to home. The plan will boost community level prevention programmes, reduce shortages of essential medicines, support the conservation of local medicinal resources and lessen the need for rural populations to travel long distances for care. Ultimately, these reforms will lower financial burdens and promote more equitable, people centred healthcare for rural communities.