Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) plans to shift general outpatient department (OPD) services to Thromde Health Centres by the end of next year, aiming to reduce overcrowding at the national referral hospital and make healthcare more accessible to residents. The hospital plans to strengthen and expand health centres in Babena, Motithang and Changjiji, with construction of a larger facility at Changjiji already underway. Currently, Thimphu has seven Thromde Health Centres and facilities are seeing a growing number of patients, with Babena reporting an average of 150 to 170 patients a day and Semtokha around 150. The centres currently provide outpatient consultations, diagnostic services such as blood tests and X-rays, maternal and child healthcare, immunisation and medication refills for chronic conditions. JDWNRH President Dr Pem Namgyal said the plan is to eventually have general OPD cases managed across the health centres, allowing patients to access basic services closer to home while ensuring that the national referral hospital can focus on specialised care. The hospital also plans to deploy at least two doctors at the centres following their expansion. While the Semtokha centre may be difficult to expand due to land constraints, the larger Changjiji facility is being prioritised, with Babena and Motithang expansions expected to begin next year. The initiative is expected to improve access to healthcare for Thimphu residents, reduce waiting times for routine services and ease the growing workload at JDWNRH.
