Bhutan Expat Health Insurance
Wedged in between China and India, the tiny mountain kingdom of Bhutan in the Himalayas boasts some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. The population of less than one million mostly practices the Buddhist faith, although Bhutan’s geographic isolation has left it with several unique cultural idiosyncrasies. Traditional costumes are commonly worn as everyday attire and an ancient form of archery remains the most popular sport. Tourism is a major industry in this country often described as “the last Shangri-la”.
Bhutan Healthcare System
Life expectancy in Bhutan is relatively low, 62 years for males and 65 for females. However prevalence of communicable disease such as HIV and tuberculosis are below global averages, with 2 HIV cases per 1,000 adults and 179 tuberculosis cases per 100,000 Bhutanese.
Total health expenditure per capita is USD274, which represents about half of the WHO South East Asian regional average, or about 5.5 percent of GDP. The Bhutanese health care workforce is seriously understaffed, even by the low standards of the region. There are only 2 doctors and 32 nurses and midwives per 100,000 people.
Before the concept became popular among Western behavioral economists, Bhutan famously introduced the concept of Gross National Happiness as a quality of life indicator. The stated aim of the authorities is to prioritize the growth of GNH over more traditional measurements of growth like Gross National Product (GNP).
Like its neighbor China, Bhutan’s government policies are drafted in a series of five year plans. Given the importance of national happiness, the current budget allocates 22% of spending to social services, with 8.5% of spending going to health. A national health trust fund has also been created to offset the cost of health care for less fortunate Bhutanese who would not normally be able to afford basic care. Currently, nearly two thirds of Bhutan’s health care budget comes from foreign aid, which may be unsustainable over the long term.
Most foreign aid in Bhutan is coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO). In their most recent Country Cooperation Strategy paper outlining a roadmap for Bhutan from 2009 – 13, six priorities were given. These include: strengthening and consolidating national health policy; increasing and improving the health care workforce, strengthening the institutions of the existing health care system, improving maternal and infant health; reducing the burden of disease; enhance partnerships for health with bilateral and multinational aid organizations.
Bhutanese utilization of antenatal, birth and infant health care is very high – nearly universal – and much higher than its peers in the region. Most of the population has access to improved drinking water, although sanitation facilities are available to only about 60 percent of Bhutanese.
Due to its small population and size, Bhutan’s health care system is administered by the central government. But because of the relative isolation of certain rural mountainous areas, as a practical matter, much decision-making is made on a local level. The Bhutanese authorities have made a concerted effort to improve communication and cooperation among health care officials and practitioners in the more remote areas of the country, in order to improve the efficiency in delivery of health care with limited resources. The four-tiered network of the Bhutan health care system includes the National Referral Hospital, regional referral hospitals, district hospitals, basic health units, plus local outreach clinics.
There are currently no private hospitals or clinics in Bhutan. All health care is provided by the state with no charge to citizens or tourists. Basic care should be sufficient for minor health problems, and operating rooms, CT and MRI equipment is available. However, given the limitations of the health care workforce, serious medical issues may require air evacuation, often to India or Thailand.
Perhaps interesting for tourists and visitors is the importance of traditional medicine in Bhutanese health care. The state-funded Institute of Traditional Medical Services (ITMS), has set up a hospital, training centre, pharmaceutical and research laboratory, along with 17 dispensaries, attached to district hospitals. Traditional and modern medicine are often prescribed cooperatively, using traditional medicines produced in the capital city of Thimphu. Traditional care is also provided free of charge to all patients.
Aside from aid workers, there are very few expatriates in Bhutan, but it is an extraordinary tourist destination. Special visas are required, and visits are almost always though a government organized tour group. Those willing and fortunate enough to make the trek to Bhutan are rewarded with some of the most extraordinary scenery in the world. But like travel anywhere, visits to Bhutan are not without risk.
The US-based Centre for Disease Control have issued a series of guidelines to prepare visitors to the country. Visiting a travel health clinic four to six weeks before departure is recommended, in order to update routine immunizations such as hepatitis A and B. Jabs against Japanese encephalitis may be suggested for travelers to more remote rural areas of Bhutan.
Some of the more remote areas of Bhutan are also prone to outbreaks of malaria. Preventative measures may include wearing long sleeved clothing, sleeping under mosquito nets and applying insect repellent with DEET. Anti-malarial pills may be taken on a preventative basis, including atovaquone, proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine; chloroquine is not effective antimalarial treatment in Bhutan. Altitude sickness may also affect travelers, although local authorities are very experienced in treating this.
Most travelers’ health problems in Bhutan are universal to tourists everywhere: gastrointestinal distress and auto accidents. Avoiding raw or undercooked food and drinking bottled water should prevent stomach discomfort; over the counter medication should take care of acute cases. Bhutan’s mountainous terrain makes road travel very dangerous, so extreme caution is advised.
Bhutan Expat Health Insurance
While Bhutan may provide free and comprehensive basic health care, however serious health issues may require costly expensive air evacuation to the nearest center of medical excellence to Bhutan Expat health insurance plans can provide you and your travelling companions some much-needed peace of mind, by giving you extensive coverage with high benefit limits.
Fortunately, Global Health Insurance is available to present a range of international health insurance options to suit individuals, families and tour groups. While traveling to or living in Bhutan, expat health insurance policies available may include maternal, dental, alternative care and emergency evacuation. Our dedicated team of experienced advisors are available around the clock to assist with your global health insurance questions.
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