Page 19 - Traditional Medicine Systems of BIMSTEC Member States – 2023 Report

wellbeing and gives a unique feature to the Bhutanese healthcare system. The Essential

Drug Programme implemented for allopathic medicine is also replicated for traditional
medicine and this has enormously been successful in making the delivery of traditional

medicine services very effective and sustainable. The true integration of the two medical
systems will go a long way in the effective delivery of services. There is immense potential

for the systems to complement each other if the true spirit of integration is implemented.

2. Country Policy on Traditional Medicine

The Bhutanese Traditional Medicine was approved and established as complementary
nd
medicine in line with the resolution of the 32 session of the National Assembly of
Bhutan buttressed by the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008, and other
policies as follows:

• Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008, Article 9 (21) states that “The
State shall provide free access to basic public health services in both modern

and traditional medicines.”
• National Health Policy, 2011, Section 9.3 states that “The Royal Government

of Bhutan shall continue to pursue and sustain the universal health coverage
achieved; by providing all Bhutanese citizens with access to equitable and

quality basic health services including prevention, promotion, treatment, and
rehabilitation through the three-tiered health system with the exclusion of non-

essential health services in the context of maximising population benefit of
public expenditure on health.”
T raditional Medicine Systems of BIMSTEC Member States – 2023 Report
• Section 12.1 (a) of the National Health Policy states that “The Royal Government
of Bhutan shall continue to preserve and promote the traditional medicine

system by effectively integrating it into the overall national health care delivery
system.”

• The Medical and Health Council Act 2002 of the Kingdom of Bhutan-A legal
entity that regulates medical schools, courses, and health professions in all its

aspects, especially in respect of ethics.
• The Medicines Act of Kingdom Bhutan 2003-Regulates the import, export,

manufacture, sale, transportation, and distribution of medicinal raw materials
and products.

• Forest and nature conservation act of Bhutan, 1995- Protection and sustainable
use of forests, wildlife and related natural resources of Bhutan for the benefit

of present and future generations.

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