Bhutan and India expand healthcare partnership and medical referral networks

Bhutan and India are working to deepen their healthcare cooperation through a new partnership focused on specialized medical treatment, institutional collaboration, and capacity building. An Indian Medical Value Travel delegation, coordinated by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), visited Bhutan on August 19–20, 2026, to engage with government officials and healthcare leaders.

A primary outcome of the visit is the potential addition of 10 Indian hospitals to Bhutan’s medical referral system. This expansion aims to provide Bhutanese patients with a broader range of specialized treatment options in India. The delegation included representatives from several institutions, such as Yashoda Super Specialty Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare, and Artemis Hospitals.

Beyond facilitating patient travel, the partnership seeks to foster professional training, knowledge exchange, and technical capacity building within Bhutan’s health system. Discussions involved senior officials including Dasho Pemba Wangchuk, Secretary of the Ministry of Health, and Dr. Pem Namgyal, President of the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital and Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan.