1. HTM Seminar June 2015 Country Presentations BHUTAN Tashi Penjore, Chief Engineer, Biomedical Engineering Division, Ministry of Health Presented by

2. In Brief 10/2/2016HTM Seminar, Toronto, Canada2

3. ACEW (HTM Seminar) Experience 10/2/2016HTM Seminar, Toronto, Canada3 Main Topic of Interest for HTM Seminar 2015: Institutional arrangement of HTM Best practices in HTM Networking and opportunities

4. Country’s Health System Profile Constitution of the Country mandates the Government to provide free access to basic public health services in both modern and traditional medicines; Ministry of Health has 4 technical departments: –Medical Service: oversees the functioning of health centres around the country. –Public Health: Oversees all programmes –Medical Supplies & Health Infrastructure: Oversee health infrastructure developments, medical supplies and medical devices management. 10/2/2016HTM Seminar, Toronto, Canada4

5. –Traditional Medicine Services: indigenous medical services In addition, we have: 1 National Referral Hospital with functional autonomy Drug Regulatory Authority for the regulation of medicines Bhutan Medical & Health Council for the accreditation of health professionals including continuing medical education. Bhutan Health Trust Fund was created for sustain financing for vaccines and essential drugs for primary healthcare. 10/2/2016HTM Seminar, Toronto, Canada5

6. Country's Health Technology Program Key accomplishments Biomedical Engineering Division established (upgraded from HERM Unit) – currently responsible for management of technology already introduced Essential Medicines and Technology Division (EMTD) established under the MoH – responsible for new technology to be introduced. First evidence based HTA conducted on 29 th March 2013 HTA Guideline developed in 2013 Institutional linkage developed with MAHTAs (Malaysia), HiTAP (Thailand) and MoH, Singapore Member of HTAi, HTAsialink and ISPOR. 10/2/2016HTM Seminar, Toronto, Canada6

7. Country's Health Technology Program Needs for Improvement HTM as a whole Capacity building in evidence-based HTA/HTM Capacity building in research Strengthen HR in terms of number and qualification/skill Awareness and outreach on HTM Specialisation required on maintenance of medical equipment Strengthen specification, testing and calibration of medical devices Policy and Regulations/legislations 10/2/2016HTM Seminar, Toronto, Canada7

8. Conclusions and Action Plan Institutionalisation and strengthening of HTM in Bhutan (strengthen BMED) Capacity building of BMED on HTM including Training of BMETs in-country as well as abroad Develop roadmap for biomedical/clinical engineering services in Bhutan Develop necessary policy and regulations Biomedical engineering workshop/conference Membership to relevant international bodies Participate in international conferences and seminars to learn best practices and adoption. 10/2/2016HTM Seminar, Toronto, Canada8

9. Looking forward to kind assistance and support of WHO and international HTM experts for successful implementations. THANK YOU 10/2/2016HTM Seminar, Toronto, Canada9