Where

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a beautiful landlocked country in the Himalaya Mountains. Although it is one of the smallest countries in the world, it has immense diversity.

The mountains rise from colorful tropical rain-forests at 400 feet above sea level to breathtaking snow-capped peaks. The majority of Bhutan’s 750,000 people live in rural valleys separated by steep ridges. While multiple languages are spoken in the country and cultures vary, Buddhism permeates all aspects of life.

Pride in their rich heritage and the forethought of wise kings and leaders have resulted in measures to care for the people and preserve the ecological diversity and culture of the Kingdom of Bhutan.

While great strides have been made in the area of health, challenges persist. For example, a third of children under the age of five are stunted (not tall enough for their age), and one in eight children are underweight. These nutritional problems and other complex health issues require long-term commitments and interventions which are sustainable.

As the country develops and expands its health care system, shortages of health care professionals and financial resources continue to be obstacles. It will be necessary to evaluate and strengthen current programs, and to advance education for health care workers and the community. The effective use of limited resources is crucial.

It is in these challenges that IPSAHD’s mission and vision align with Bhutan’s goals. 

To learn more about Bhutan, please visit the following links:

Tourism Council of Bhutan: www.tourism.gov.bt
Bhutan’s National Statistics Bureau: www.nsb.gov.bt
Bhutan’s Ministry of Health: www.health.gov.bt
National Portal of Bhutan: www.bhutan.gov.bt
Bhutan Broadcast Service: www.bbs.bt
Kuensel, Bhutan’s daily news site: www.kuenselonline.com