Page 18 - Traditional Medicine Systems of BIMSTEC Member States – 2023 Report

The founding of Bhutan as a nation-state by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in

1616 and the establishment of the monarchy in 1907 stabilised the country and laid
the foundation for modern economic development including the traditional medicine

system. A natural reservoir of medicinal resources bestowed with enormous commercial
value, scientific intrigue and diverse healing properties also served as a rich source of

raw materials, facilitating the rapid expansion of the Traditional Medicine System in the
country, while unflagging support and wise stewardship from its farsighted Monarchs

ensured its preservation, promotion, and conservation.
Traditional Medicine was formally mainstreamed into the National Health Care

th
System on 28 June 1968 as per the Royal Command of His Majesty Jigme Dorji
Wangchuck. Since then, it has made commendable progress in terms of organisational

growth, medicine production, service delivery, scientific scrutiny, quality control system,
infrastructure and human resources development. Today its services are made available

through 80 TM Units established across the country.

Traditional medicine systems available in the health service system

From the outset, it was envisioned that Bhutanese Traditional Medicine would
complement allopathic medicine and that it would serve as an alternate form of health

care. As a result, the integration of both traditional and allopathic medical services
offered, under one roof in most healthcare facilities, has been a major success for

healthcare delivery as the consumers can opt between modern and traditional health
services.

Today, all the traditional medicine units in the districts are integrated with the
allopathic medical system. Apart from the delivery of services being under the same

roof, the distribution and supply of traditional medicines are done by the Department
of Medical Products, NMS. Regular meetings are held between the allopathic Doctors

and TM professionals which has promoted a sense of understanding amongst the
policymakers and the professionals

from both sides that it is in the
interest of both the systems to

work together in the delivery of
quality healthcare, thus encouraging

cross referrals. This integration
approach also promotes a more

holistic approach to health and Bhutan

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