HEALTH & EDUCATION

Health
Modern Health Care was introduced in Bhutan in 1960s. However careful attention had always been given to traditional practice and the people's perception of illness. This has ensured that the modern healthcare services and indigenous medical services developed simultaneously.

Herbal-based, traditional medicine is well established and integrated into general health services and remains a popular form of healthcare. Access to traditional medicine in the country has greatly increased with 31 traditional Drungtshos (Doctors) providing indigenous medical services in all Dzongkhags (Districts). Traditional medical continues to hold an important place in the formal healthcare system as it not only adds an important dimension to the country's system of health care, but also provides an alternative form of healthcare.

An integrated healthcare delivery system was foreseen as an effective strategy to reach the scattered population in Bhutan's rugged terrain. The declaration of AlmaAta in 1978 adopting a primary healthcare approach to achieve " Health for All" has also served to accelerate health service development in this direction.

The government has maintained a system of complete free healthcare for not only the Bhutanese citizens but for also all those who reside in the country. In 1961 there was hardly any modern facility in Bhutan. Today the country has more than 29 hospitals, 160 Basic Health Units and 90 percent health coverage with basic services. The health status of the population has remarkably improved, especially during the last ten years. The national healthcare delivery system is characterized by the central level being responsible for administration, training and major referrals, and the Districts managing the delivery of basic services to the population through a network of District hospitals, Basic Health Units (BHU) and outreach clinics (ORC).

Education
Until the 1950's, monastic education was only the form of education available in the country. While monastic education continues to play an important role in Bhutan, modern, western form of Education has been promoted and expanded and is now available throughout the country. Since its introduction, within a period of four decades the government was able to create a modern education system spanning from primary to tertiary level. Enrolments in all level has grown at an impressive rate from approximately 400 students prior to 1961 to 1,26,718 students in 2001 in the 382 schools and institutes. The gross primary enrolment ratio was estimated to 72 percent in 2001, and increasing annually at a rate of 6-7 percent. The increase in the enrolment has been attributed to the awareness of the people of the value of Education.

Sherubtse College, the National Institute of Education at Pro and Samtse, the institute of Language and Cultural Studies, the National Institute of Health Sciences, and the National Institute of Traditional Medicines offer higher education in Bhutan. The tradition of entitlements and welfare in the country has emphasized free education even in the medieval period when the state supported free monastic education. Similarly; in modern Bhutan, education is accessible to everyone with free tuition, textbooks, sports equipment, meals and boarding facility.

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