Jigmi Wangdi
The health flagship programme 2020-2023, initiated in the 12th Plan, focused on screening and timely treatment of cervical, breast, and stomach cancers, with a total budget outlay of Nu 1.1 billion. This flagship programme achieved 90 percent coverage nationwide through comprehensive screening.
Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk shared this during the sixth Meet-the-Press session on July 26. “Now, during the 13th Plan, we must carry this work forward. Our target is to cover the remaining 10 percent.”
Lyonpo said that Bhutan’s goal was to eradicate cervical cancer by 2030, and that all efforts are geared towards achieving this goal.
“We will focus on screening, detection, and timely treatments. We also want to ensure that cancer patients receive proper palliative care through spiritual and medical care approaches. We want to ensure that all our healthcare centres are equipped to deliver these services,” Lyonpo added.
The ministry will also prioritise advocacy and awareness campaigns to educate the public about cancer risk factors, such as tobacco and alcohol consumption and maintaining healthy dietary habits.
In addition, the HPV vaccine, previously administered only to girls, will now be available for boys.
“Children in class six and above in schools will be given the vaccine, and those who are not in school will receive the vaccine from the age of 12,” Lyonpo said.
The ministry will also train health workers to enhance their knowledge and technical skills in managing cervical, breast, and stomach cancers to provide efficient patient care.
The Health Flagship Blueprint 2020-2023 highlighted that, according to the Population-Based Cancer Registry of Bhutan 2014-18, the age-adjusted incidence rate per 100,000 populations is 64 for males and 89.8 for females.
The risk of getting cancer among females is 1 in 9 (11 percent) and among males is 1 in 11 (9 percent). The top five cancers in males are stomach, esophagus, liver, lung, and rectum cancer, while cervical, stomach, breast, thyroid, and ovary cancers are the leading cancers in females.
District wise, the highest number of stomach cancer cases was reported from Paro, followed by Wangdue, Punakha, Trashigang, and Haa. The highest number of cervical cancer cases was reported from Trashigang, followed by Mongar, Wangdue, Chukha, and Samtse.
Stomach cancer remains the leading cause of death among men, while cervical cancer causes the most deaths among women.