Bhutan and Mongolia Explore Collaboration in Pediatric Cardiac Care

13 February 2025 - Thimphu, Bhutan:

The Hon’ble Health Minister of Bhutan met with the visiting delegation from Bundan NGO, Mongolia, to discuss a potential collaboration in pediatric cardiac care for Bhutanese children diagnosed with Congenital Heart Defects (CHD).

The discussions focused on the following key areas:

• Screening and early diagnosis of CHD cases in Bhutan,

• Facilitation of free open-heart surgeries in Mongolia for selected Bhutanese children, and

• Specialized training and capacity building for Bhutanese doctors and nurses in pediatric cardiac care.

This initiative was inspired by His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck’s visit to Mongolia in 2024, which highlighted opportunities for collaboration between the two countries. Following the visit, Bundan NGO reached out to Bhutan’s National Medical Services to propose this partnership aimed at improving pediatric cardiac healthcare in Bhutan.

The Ministry of Health acknowledged the importance of strengthening pediatric cardiac care and expressed interest in further discussions to explore the feasibility and implementation of the initiative.

Tandin Wangchuk