Department of Psychiatry, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) is the tertiary care psychiatry unit which provides specialized mental health care. It has been serving not only the people in its catchment area but to the entire population of the country. Psychiatric services in Bhutan are provided by a multidisciplinary team consisting of Psychiatrists, Counselors, Occupational therapist, Speech and language therapists, Health assistant and Nurses.
To provide safe, equitable, and patient-focused anesthesia care through evidence-based practice, multidisciplinary collaboration, and modern technology. We are dedicated to continuous professional development, research, and education, ensuring the training of highly competent anesthesia professionals while contributing to Bhutan’s healthcare goals. Through compassion, respect, and integrity, we strive to deliver exceptional care tailored to the needs of every patient.
To become a leading center of excellence in anesthesia and perioperative medicine within the region by delivering innovative, compassionate, and safe patient care while advancing education, research, and clinical practice.
We treat every patient with empathy, dignity, and respect, recognizing and responding to their individual physical, emotional, and cultural needs.
We maintain the highest standards of anesthesia practice through evidence-based medicine, robust safety measures, and continuous quality improvement.
We value open communication, mutual respect, and multidisciplinary cooperation to provide seamless perioperative care and support successful surgical outcomes.
We are committed to ensuring all patients receive timely, inclusive, and equitable anesthesia care regardless of their background or circumstances.
We uphold ethical principles, transparency, and professionalism while remaining accountable to our patients, colleagues, and the wider community.
We encourage innovation, embrace advancements in medical technology, and promote a culture of continuous learning, education, and professional growth.
The first person to start psychiatric services in Bhutan in 1997 was a WHO sponsored Burmese psychiatrist – Dr. U Thuta, who was in the country from 1997 to 1998. He started a psychiatric OPD in JDWNRH in 1997. Dr. Khaw Win, another psychiatrist from Burma replaced Dr. U Thuta in the beginning of 1998. Dr. Chencho Dorji, the first Bhutanese trained in modern psychiatry joined JDWNRH in 1999 after completion of his training in Sri Lanka and Australia. Dr. Khaw Win left the country in 2001. In 2006, Dr. Damber Kumar Nirola, who trained in psychiatry in Bangladesh, became the second Bhutanese psychiatrist to join the department in JDWNRH. Dr. Ugyen Dema, who trained in psychiatry in Israel and UK became the third Bhutanese to join the department in 2015.
In April 2004, a dedicated 10 bed psychiatric and detoxification ward was established in JDWNRH with the joining of two trained psychiatric nurses. Mr. Rinchen Pelzang became the first nurse In-charge of Psychiatry Ward in 2004. Mr. Tashi Norbu took over the charge of the ward after Mr. Rinchen Pelzang resigned from service in 2008. During that time, another trained psychiatric nurse – Ms. Thinley Choden has joined the ward. Ms. Sonam Choki became the third ward in-charge from 2010 – 2017. Another trained psychiatric nurse Mr. Pema Dorji joined the team during this period. However, he left soon after joining to attend to VIP duties. Mr. Tashi Dorji took over the charge in 2017 from Ms. Sonam Choki, who got transferred to the Faculty of Nursing and Public Health in 2017.
From 2016, the Faculty of Nursing and Public Health, Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGUMSB) introduced a 4-year degree course Bachelors of Science program in clinical counselling. Graduates of this course have been serving as clinical counselors who are an integral part in providing mental health services. Since 2018, the Faculty of Postgraduate Medicine of the Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGUMSB) started postgraduate MD Psychiatry training. So far, 2 Psychiatrists have graduated from the University and have joined the department.
Until 1997, there was no psychiatrist or dedicated mental health professionals providing mental health care services in Bhutan. The history of modern mental health services development in Bhutan is synonymous with that of development of the Psychiatry Department, JDWNRH as the later functions as the apex body in the country in terms of training and development of human resources in mental health as well as referral and treatment of mental disorders. With the starting of the Psychiatry Department in JDWNRH, it became the technical hub of the national mental health program, which continues to do so even today.
Health Volunteers Overseas, an NGO in the USA started sending mental health professional volunteers from USA, UK, Canada and Australia to train staff and work in the Psychiatry Department from 2010. Till date, more than thirty volunteers have come and worked in the department.
Due to increasing demand for inpatient beds with growing number of patients seeking treatment and increasing availability of trained staff, the Psychiatry Ward was expanded to 18 beds in 2012, which was further extended to 20 beds in 2018. In 2022, three bedded family wards within the 20 bedded psychiatry ward were established for children and adolescents with mental health issues needing inpatient care.
Our department provides a comprehensive range of Psychiatry and perioperative services, including:
Psychiatric assessment and treatment by the multidisciplinary team
Electroconvulsive Therapy [ECT]
Detoxification of patients with alcohol and substance use disorders
General and Psychiatric Nursing care
Counselling and psychotherapy services (Individual and Group)
Psychoeducation Group therapy
Relaxation training
Relaxation training
Group therapy for anxiety
Recreational activities; television, indoor and outdoor games
Psychiatrist consultation, assessment and treatment
Counselling and psychotherapy services (Individual and Group)
Child and Adolescent clinic
Group therapy for individuals with substance use disorders (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
Speech and Language Therapy
Opioid Substitution Therapy
Occupational therapy
Group therapy for families for substance use disorders (Saturdays)
Anxiety Clinic
Mood Clinic
Dialectical Behavioral Group therapy
Assessment and treatment of individuals with substance use mandated by the law
Psychophysical activity (Day care group therapy)
Liaise with NGOs (RENEW, Nazhoen Lamten, rehabilitation centers) necessary support services
Perinatal psychiatric screening services in CHD
Liaise with rehabilitation centers for rehabilitation services
Provide teleconsultation to patients in the districts
Mentor and supervise:
Conduct classes for the postgraduate trainees, nursing students, counselling trainees of KGUMSB
We have been getting regular interns (MBBS graduates) for a month-long posting, making them more competent to manage common psychiatric issues.
Liaise with the Pema Secretariat and provide technical support
To fulfill our mission and vision, we focus on the following pillars of our specialty:
In early 2017, we addressed the acute shortage of anesthesia service providers by recruiting two Burmese anesthetists and welcoming Dr. Garry from the USA to volunteer in the ICU.
