Top 20 Hospitals in Bhutan

Your comprehensive guide to Bhutan's premier healthcare facilities

Top Hospitals 1-5

1. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital

Thimphu

As Bhutan's premier medical institution, JDWNRH provides comprehensive tertiary care with specialized departments in cardiology, neurology, oncology, and trauma surgery. The hospital serves as the national referral center equipped with advanced diagnostic technology.

Renowned for its cardiac care unit and cancer treatment facilities, JDWNRH handles complex medical cases from across Bhutan. The hospital also plays a key role in medical education and research, collaborating with international health organizations.

Cardiology Oncology Trauma Center Cardiac Surgery Cancer Therapy

2. Central Regional Referral Hospital

Gelephu

Serving central Bhutan, CRRH offers specialized care in maternal health, pediatrics, and ophthalmology. The hospital features modern operation theaters and a neonatal intensive care unit to handle high-risk pregnancies and deliveries.

With its strategic location near the Indian border, CRRH provides essential healthcare services to both Bhutanese and cross-border patients. The hospital is particularly recognized for its cataract surgeries and community health outreach programs.

Maternal Health Pediatrics Ophthalmology Cataract Surgery Neonatal Care

3. Eastern Regional Referral Hospital

Mongar

ERRH serves as the primary healthcare facility for eastern Bhutan, specializing in infectious disease control and surgical services. The hospital integrates traditional Bhutanese medicine with modern treatments, offering patients comprehensive care options.

Known for its effective management of tuberculosis and hepatitis cases, ERRH plays a vital role in public health for the eastern region. The hospital's outreach programs provide essential services to remote mountain communities.

Infectious Diseases General Surgery Traditional Medicine TB Management Hepatitis Treatment

4. Wangdicholing General Hospital

Bumthang

Located in Bhutan's spiritual heartland, Wangdicholing Hospital provides integrated healthcare combining modern medicine with traditional Sowa Rigpa practices. The hospital serves the central Bhutan region with emphasis on primary and secondary care services.

The facility is particularly known for its traditional medicine unit that offers herbal therapies for chronic conditions. Wangdicholing plays a key role in preserving Bhutan's medical heritage while providing modern healthcare services.

Traditional Medicine General Medicine Community Health Herbal Therapies Chronic Pain Management

5. Phuentsholing General Hospital

Phuentsholing

As Bhutan's southern gateway hospital, Phuentsholing General handles a high volume of patients including cross-border cases. The hospital specializes in tropical medicine and trauma care, equipped to manage dengue fever, malaria, and road accident cases.

The facility features a well-equipped laboratory for diagnosing tropical diseases and provides essential surgical services. Its location makes it a crucial healthcare provider for Bhutan's southern border region.

Tropical Medicine Trauma Care Emergency Services Dengue Management Emergency Surgery

Top Hospitals 6-10

6. Samtse General Hospital

Samtse

Serving Bhutan's southwestern border region, Samtse General Hospital focuses on community health and preventive medicine. The hospital runs extensive outreach programs to serve both urban and rural populations in this developing area.

With strong maternal and child health services, the hospital plays a key role in improving health indicators in the region. Its public health unit actively works on disease prevention and health education initiatives.

Community Health Preventive Medicine Pediatrics Child Vaccination Health Education

7. Trashigang General Hospital

Trashigang

As the main healthcare facility for eastern Bhutan's most populous district, Trashigang Hospital provides comprehensive medical services including specialized obstetric and pediatric care. The hospital handles a wide range of cases from its large catchment area.

Known for its emergency obstetric services and management of infectious diseases, the hospital plays a vital role in improving health outcomes in eastern Bhutan. Its outreach programs serve remote villages in this mountainous region.

Obstetrics Pediatrics Infectious Diseases Emergency Delivery Child Health

8. Punakha Hospital

Punakha

Located in Bhutan's ancient capital, Punakha Hospital serves both local residents and tourists visiting the historic dzong. The hospital specializes in emergency care and management of chronic diseases prevalent in the region.

With its strategic location along the main highway, the hospital handles numerous trauma cases and provides essential health services to travelers. Its emergency department is equipped to manage altitude-related health issues.

Emergency Care Chronic Disease Travel Medicine Hypertension Trauma Care

9. Zhemgang Hospital

Zhemgang

Serving one of Bhutan's most remote regions, Zhemgang Hospital provides essential primary healthcare services through both fixed facilities and mobile health units. The hospital focuses on maternal and child health services for scattered mountain communities.

With limited access to referral centers, the hospital handles a wide range of basic medical and surgical cases. Its outreach programs are crucial for delivering healthcare to isolated villages in this challenging terrain.

Primary Care Maternal Health Community Health Antenatal Care Basic Surgery

10. Trongsa Hospital

Trongsa

Strategically located along Bhutan's main east-west highway, Trongsa Hospital provides essential medical services to both local residents and travelers. The hospital specializes in trauma care and emergency medicine, handling numerous road accident cases.

With its well-equipped emergency department, the hospital plays a crucial role in the national healthcare network. It also provides comprehensive primary care services to the surrounding communities.

Trauma Care Emergency Medicine Primary Care Accident Care Chronic Disease

Top Hospitals 11-15

11. Gasa Hospital

Gasa

Serving Bhutan's most remote northern district, Gasa Hospital provides essential healthcare services in this high-altitude region. The hospital specializes in managing altitude-related health issues and providing primary care to scattered communities.

With challenging geography limiting access to referral centers, the hospital focuses on emergency care and basic health services. Its outreach programs are vital for delivering healthcare to nomadic populations in this mountainous area.

High-altitude Medicine Primary Care Emergency Services Respiratory Care Maternal Health

12. Haa Hospital

Haa

Located in Bhutan's picturesque western valley, Haa Hospital provides integrated healthcare combining modern medicine with traditional Bhutanese therapies. The hospital serves both local residents and visitors to this culturally rich district.

With its dedicated traditional medicine unit, the hospital offers patients a choice of treatment approaches. The facility focuses on community health programs and management of chronic diseases prevalent in the region.

Integrated Medicine Community Health Chronic Disease Traditional Therapies Diabetes Care

13. Paro Hospital

Paro

As the primary healthcare facility serving Bhutan's main international airport gateway, Paro Hospital specializes in travel medicine and emergency care. The hospital handles numerous tourist health cases and altitude-related illnesses.

With well-equipped emergency services, the hospital manages cases from both local residents and international visitors. Its travel clinic provides essential health services to tourists exploring the Paro valley's cultural attractions.

Travel Medicine Emergency Care Primary Care Altitude Sickness Traveler's Health

14. Samdrup Jongkhar Hospital

Samdrup Jongkhar

Serving Bhutan's southeastern border region, this hospital specializes in tropical medicine and public health. The facility handles numerous cases of malaria, dengue fever, and other tropical diseases prevalent in this subtropical area.

With its well-equipped laboratory and diagnostic services, the hospital plays a key role in disease surveillance and control along the border region. It serves both Bhutanese patients and cross-border cases from neighboring India.

Tropical Medicine Public Health Diagnostic Services Malaria Treatment Dengue Management

15. Dagana Hospital

Dagana

Serving Bhutan's southern agricultural district, Dagana Hospital focuses on rural health and occupational medicine. The hospital provides essential healthcare services to farming communities through both fixed facilities and mobile clinics.

Specializing in agricultural injury management and common rural health issues, the hospital plays a vital role in this predominantly farming region. Its maternal health services are particularly important for remote villages.

Rural Health Occupational Medicine Maternal Health Agricultural Injuries Antenatal Care

Top Hospitals 16-20

16. Pemagatshel Hospital

Pemagatshel

Serving southeastern Bhutan's remote district, Pemagatshel Hospital provides essential primary healthcare services with emphasis on preventive medicine. The hospital runs extensive community health programs to reach scattered mountain communities.

With limited access to referral centers, the hospital handles a wide range of basic medical cases. Its school health programs play a crucial role in improving health indicators among children in this developing region.

Primary Care Preventive Medicine Community Health Child Health Infectious Disease

17. Sarpang Hospital

Sarpang

Located in Bhutan's southern subtropical belt, Sarpang Hospital specializes in tropical medicine and vector-borne disease control. The hospital serves an agricultural region with significant public health challenges.

With its well-equipped laboratory, the hospital plays a key role in diagnosing and managing malaria, dengue fever, and other tropical diseases. Its maternal health services are crucial for this developing region.

Tropical Medicine Public Health Maternal Care Malaria Control Prenatal Care

18. Thimphu Traditional Medicine Hospital

Thimphu

Bhutan's premier traditional medicine facility offers authentic Sowa Rigpa treatments using herbal medicines and traditional therapies. The hospital preserves ancient healing practices while integrating with modern healthcare.

Specializing in chronic conditions, joint disorders, and digestive ailments, the hospital provides patients with traditional treatment options. Its herbal medicine preparation unit maintains strict quality standards for traditional formulations.

Sowa Rigpa Herbal Medicine Traditional Therapy Chronic Pain Joint Disorders

19. Wangdue Phodrang Hospital

Wangdue Phodrang

Strategically located along Bhutan's main east-west highway, Wangdue Hospital specializes in emergency medicine and trauma care. The hospital handles numerous road accident cases and provides essential medical services to travelers.

With its well-equipped emergency department, the hospital plays a crucial role in the national healthcare network. It also provides comprehensive primary care services to surrounding communities.

Emergency Medicine Trauma Care Community Health Accident Care Chronic Disease

20. Lhuntse Hospital

Lhuntse

Serving one of Bhutan's most remote eastern districts, Lhuntse Hospital provides essential primary healthcare services to scattered mountain communities. The hospital focuses on maternal and child health through both fixed and mobile services.

With challenging geography limiting access to referral centers, the hospital handles a wide range of basic medical cases. Its outreach programs are vital for delivering healthcare to isolated villages in this culturally rich region.

Primary Care Maternal Health Rural Health Antenatal Care Child Health

Bhutan Healthcare System Information

Healthcare Structure

Bhutan's healthcare system is organized in three tiers:

  • Basic Health Units (BHUs): Village-level primary care
  • District Hospitals: Secondary care facilities
  • Referral Hospitals: Tertiary care centers

The government provides free basic healthcare to all citizens, with health services accounting for a significant portion of the national budget.

Traditional Medicine

Bhutan uniquely integrates traditional Sowa Rigpa medicine with modern healthcare:

  • Practiced in all hospitals alongside modern medicine
  • Uses herbs, minerals and animal products
  • Focuses on balancing body elements (wind, bile, phlegm)
  • Includes therapies like acupuncture and moxibustion

Patients can choose between traditional and modern treatments or use both in combination.

Health Achievements

Bhutan has made significant health progress:

  • Life expectancy increased from 53 (1990) to 70+ years
  • Infant mortality reduced by over 75% since 1990
  • Successful control of many communicable diseases
  • Near universal immunization coverage

The country now focuses on non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

Challenges

Key healthcare challenges include:

  • Mountainous terrain limiting access
  • Shortage of specialized medical professionals
  • Rising non-communicable diseases
  • Nutritional issues (undernutrition and obesity)
  • Maintaining traditional medicine knowledge

The government continues to invest in health infrastructure and human resources.

Hospital Contact Information

Hospital Location Contact
JDWNRH Thimphu +975-2-322424
CRRH Gelephu +975-6-252034
ERRH Mongar +975-4-642032
Phuentsholing Phuentsholing +975-5-252034
Traditional Medicine Thimphu +975-2-322747