Bhutan’s Ministry of Health has released BENAP 2025-2029, aiming to reduce newborn mortality, stillbirths, and maternal mortality to 5 per 1,000 live births, 2 per 1,000, and 40 per 100,000 by 2029. The new plan for healthcare delivery in Bhutan, despite a high rate, faces uneven distribution and quality, with only 12 hospitals and 83 percent of PHCs conducting deliveries. BENAP 2025-2029 proposes structural reforms to address health disparities in Bhutan, including continuous training, integrating maternal and newborn health into university curricula, and expanding digital health systems, requiring additional investment.
The updated BENAP aims to address health access gaps in Bhutan, focusing on equity, community engagement, and data reliability. It will strengthen the Maternal, Perinatal, and Neonatal Death Surveillance and Response system. Bhutan’s neonatal mortality is primarily due to sepsis, prematurity, birth asphyxia, and congenital anomalies, with 42% linked to maternal health conditions. BENAP addresses emerging health challenges. Bhutan’s BENAP 2025-2029 aligns with 13th Five Year Plan and National RMNCAH+A strategy, ensuring mothers and newborns thrive, with a robust monitoring framework.