Inauguration of the Health and Medical Research Centre at Eastern Regional Referral
The Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGUMSB) will be inaugurating the Eastern Regional Health Research Centre (ERHRC) at the Eastern Regional Referral Hospital (ERRH), Mongar on 2nd August 2025.
The establishment of the ERHRC at ERRH marks an important milestone in Bhutan’s pursuit of evidence-basedhealthcare. Health research plays a pivotal role in transforming healthcare by driving innovation in areas such as vaccines, pharmaceuticals, telemedicine, surgical techniques, and other medical technologies. These innovations not only enable early detection and effective treatment of diseases but also improve patient survival and overall quality of life.
In addition to advancing clinical practice, health research helps identify social and environmental determinants of health, thereby informing robust, responsive, and equitable healthcare policies. With the ERHRC, the Eastern region now joins the national effort to promote health and medical research as a cornerstone of the healthcare system.
While Bhutan increasingly recognizes the value of health research, the health research remains at a nascent stage. Major challenges include limited research infrastructure, lack of sustained financial support, and the absence of structured incentives for researchers. KGUMSB remains committed to overcoming these barriers by creating a conducive ecosystem for research that addresses both present and future healthcare needs.
ERRH, as the designated teaching hospital for KGUMSB in eastern Bhutan, is ideally placed to integrate academic learning, clinical practice, and research. The ERHRC will serve as a vital platform for generating locally relevantevidence, informing public health interventions, and enhancing healthcare delivery in the region.
Key Objectives of the ERHRC at ERRH:
- Conduct research to improve understanding of diseases, healthcare practices, and the development of new therapies and technologies.
- Generate high-quality scientific data to support evidence-based clinical and policy decision-making.
- Promote education and capacity-building among healthcare professionals, researchers, and students throughpartnerships with academic institutions, hospitals, and the biotech sector.
Expected Outcomes:
- Improved patient outcomes through evidence-based policies and practices.
- Strengthened national research capacity through infrastructure and training.
- Informed health policy formulation supported by reliable scientific data.
- Advancement of innovation in medical technologies.
- Enhanced national and international collaboration, elevating Bhutan’s standing in global research.
- Attraction of sustainable research funding and improved readiness for public health emergencies.
The establishment of ERHRC has been made possible through a collaborative research initiative between KGUMSB and the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, under funding support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the research project, titled “Investigation of Epidemiology and Transmission of Leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka and Bhutan”.
For further information, please contact:
Mr. Rixin Jamtsho Director, MECRIT
Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan Thimphu
Email: rjamtsho@kgumsb.edu.bt Phone: 17606984