Bhutanese patients no longer have to travel abroad for knee replacement surgeries. Since the first successful total knee replacement at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) on December 30, 2022, the hospital has performed over 100 such procedures, saving patients both time and money while preserving the country’s hard currency.
Previously, patients were referred to hospitals in Kolkata or Vellore, India, where costs ranged from Nu 200,000 per knee to as high as Nu 600,000. The expense for both knees could exceed half a million ngultrums, placing a heavy financial burden on families. Additionally, travel and accommodation added to the strain.
Now, with the surgery available locally at JDWNRH, the cost is substantially reduced, though the exact figure was not disclosed in the report. The savings is not only individual but also national: less foreign currency flows out of Bhutan for medical tourism.
Dr. Tshewang Lhamo, an orthopedic surgeon at JDWNRH, stated that the hospital uses advanced implant technology and follows international protocols. Patients have reported positive outcomes, with many returning to normal activities within weeks.
The achievement marks a milestone in Bhutan’s healthcare sector, demonstrating growing self-reliance. Officials hope to expand such specialized services to reduce the number of medical referrals abroad, which have long been a drain on the economy.
Article source: thebhutanese.bt | Image credit: Bhutan Broadcasting Service
