The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency, launched the Impact Evaluation Report of the Integrated Continuous Telemedicine of Fetal Heart Rate and Uterine Contraction (iCTG) Initiative in Thimphu on May 22, highlighting major progress in maternal and child healthcare services through digital technology. The programme was organised under the “Project for Strengthening Maternal and Child Health through Telemedicine System Establishment,” jointly implemented by the Ministry of Health and JICA from August 2023 to March 2026.
The event brought together senior government officials, healthcare professionals, technical experts, representatives from JICA Headquarters and the JICA Bhutan Office, development partners, researchers and media representatives from Bhutan and Japan. Experts from Kagawa University and Melody International Ltd. also participated in the programme.
According to the evaluation report presented during the event, the iCTG system has significantly improved maternal and neonatal healthcare services in Bhutan by supporting early detection of pregnancy-related risks, strengthening clinical decision-making and improving referral coordination, especially for women living in remote and hard-to-reach communities.
The report found that nearly half of pregnant women in Bhutan now have access to Intelligent Cardiotocography (iCTG), a smart wireless pregnancy monitoring system designed to help healthcare workers monitor fetal heart rates and uterine contractions in real time. The portable device allows frontline health workers in rural health centres to instantly share patient data with specialists through internet-based technology, enabling faster medical intervention during high-risk pregnancies.
Introduced in Bhutan in 2020, the iCTG system currently includes more than 80 portable devices deployed across over 70 health facilities nationwide. The technology works through two small wireless sensors placed on a pregnant woman’s abdomen to monitor the baby’s heartbeat and uterine contractions. The information is transmitted to a smartphone and uploaded to a cloud-based platform within seconds, allowing specialists located elsewhere to monitor the data remotely and guide local healthcare workers if signs of fetal distress are detected.
Pemba Wangchuk said the project has helped bridge healthcare gaps in remote areas by enabling real-time specialist monitoring for maternal and neonatal care. He stated that the initiative reflects Bhutan’s commitment to digital health and equitable healthcare services and added that the Ministry will now focus on sustainability through improved training, stronger integration of iCTG data into the national health system and better internet connectivity infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Yoichiro Kimata said the project also focused on building the capacity of healthcare workers and nurses to effectively operate the devices and use telemedicine technology in maternal healthcare services. He noted that the partnership reflects continued cooperation between Bhutan and Japan in strengthening inclusive and resilient healthcare systems.
Senior Researcher Kinley Dorjee said the technology has improved access to specialist consultations for expectant mothers, particularly those in rural communities. He added that the system has helped reduce travel time and expenses for pregnant women who previously had to travel long distances for specialist care.
The report further showed that the number of monitoring sessions conducted through the iCTG system increased from more than 4,600 in 2023 to over 5,300 in 2024, indicating growing adoption across healthcare facilities. Data presented during the programme also showed that deaths caused by birth asphyxia declined from 20 cases in 2020 to three cases in 2025. However, experts involved in the evaluation noted that further studies would be needed to determine how much of the decline could be directly linked to the use of iCTG technology.
Officials said the initiative demonstrates how digital health technologies can improve access to quality healthcare services in remote areas while strengthening Bhutan’s broader maternal and child healthcare system.