NGAWANG JAMPHEL
Thimphu
The Ministry of Health has laid down a comprehensive set of regulations and standards for private healthcare centres to ensure delivery of healthcare services is safe, effective, and accessible.
These rules are intended to improve the quality of healthcare services across the country, and they cover everything from infrastructure to staffing, medical products, and emergency services.
To operate any private healthcare centre in Bhutan, the premises and services must meet specific minimum standards as set by the Ministry. These standards are crucial for the approval and renewal of licences for healthcare centres.
The Ministry also emphasizes the importance of provisional technical authorizations as a prerequisite for obtaining a license to operate healthcare services. In addition, proposals for foreign investment in healthcare services must be routed through the relevant Ministry for approval.
Healthcare centres in Bhutan are categorized into different types based on the services they provide. These categories include super-specialty hospitals, multi-disciplinary hospitals, traditional medicine hospitals, clinics, and primary healthcare centres, among others.
For instance, Category I includes super-specialty hospitals that provide highly specialized care in one or more areas, whereas Category V encompasses primary healthcare centres offering basic healthcare services. This categorization helps streamline the provision of services based on the needs of the population.
One of the key aspects of these regulations is ensuring that healthcare centres are safe, hygienic, and accessible. The Ministry requires that healthcare facilities meet high standards for cleanliness and infrastructure, including the provision of basic necessities like potable water, emergency power backup, and disabled-friendly facilities.
In case of emergencies or disasters, healthcare centres must have written disaster response and fire safety policies. These regulations are meant to create an environment that supports both patients and healthcare workers, ensuring that they are safe and well-cared for.
Another important aspect of these regulations is transparency in fees and charges. Healthcare centres are required to submit detailed price breakdowns for their services to the Ministry for approval.
Any changes in charges must also be approved by the Ministry. This ensures that healthcare costs are fair and that patients are aware of the costs upfront.
Additionally, healthcare centres must provide patients with a bill for the services rendered and maintain records of charges, which can be reviewed by the Ministry if necessary.
Employee management is also a key component of these regulations. Private healthcare centres are required to hire qualified medical professionals in sufficient numbers to ensure that they can provide adequate care to patients.
These professionals must be properly trained and supervised, and the healthcare centres must ensure that they meet continuous professional development requirements.
The quality and safety of medical products used in healthcare centres are also tightly regulated. Healthcare centres must ensure that they have access to safe, effective, and quality medical products in sufficient quantities.
Procedures for storing, managing inventory, and administering medical products must be defined, and expired products must not be used. These regulations are aimed at minimizing the risk of harm to patients due to improper use of medical products.
A significant part of these regulations is patient care. Healthcare centres are responsible for providing appropriate care to patients, from emergency medical treatment to planned procedures.
Private healthcare centres are required to establish reporting systems for incidents related to patient safety and implement a complaint-handling procedure for addressing concerns raised by patients.
Additionally, patients must be provided with information about their treatment options and the costs involved, which allows them to make informed decisions about their healthcare.
The regulations also place a strong emphasis on safeguarding patients against abuse and neglect. Private healthcare centres must have systems in place to protect patients from mistreatment by staff, and there should be mechanisms for reporting such incidents.
The safety and well-being of patients remain a top priority under these rules, ensuring that they receive care in a respectful and secure environment.
Infection control is another critical area of focus. Private healthcare centres are required to implement effective infection control measures to prevent the spread of diseases, especially in high-risk environments like hospitals.
This includes managing medical waste properly and ensuring that all areas are clean and free from hazards. Regular monitoring and improvement of these systems are also necessary to maintain a high standard of hygiene and safety.
In terms of emergency services, healthcare centres in higher categories, such as super-specialty hospitals and multi-disciplinary hospitals, must have designated emergency departments and maintain ambulances to transport patients in critical conditions.
Critical patients must be transported under the supervision of qualified health professionals, ensuring that they receive appropriate care during transit. This is expected to help in saving lives, especially in urgent medical situations where time is of the essence.
Furthermore, healthcare centres are required to follow the national referral system when transferring patients to a higher-level healthcare facility. This ensures that patients receive the appropriate level of care based on their medical needs.
In cases where inpatient facilities are provided, healthcare centres must also have a mortuary service in place, ensuring that the needs of deceased patients are handled with dignity.
These regulations also address the importance of outreach services, which can be provided by healthcare centres with Ministry approval. Outreach services play a vital role in reaching underserved populations, especially in remote areas, and providing them with essential healthcare services.
Overall, these regulations are designed to ensure that healthcare centres in Bhutan provide high-quality, safe, and accessible services to the public. They not only focus on infrastructure, staffing, and medical products but also emphasize patient rights, safety, and transparency.
MoH said by following these rules and standards, healthcare centres can help improve the overall health and well-being of the population, ensuring that everyone has access to the care they need.
