Ministry of Health
Royal Government of Bhutan
Health Flagship Project
Vision
To significantly lower incidences of gastric, cervical and breast cancers in the country.
Program Overview
Flagship programs are interventions to address high priority national issues that require multi-sectoral collaboration and coordination in a concerted manner. Health Flagship Program is one the 9 flagship programs of the Royal Government of Bhutan. The Health Flagship program mainly focuses on three cancers namely stomach cancer, cervical cancer and breast cancer. The program is being implemented through a separate project Management Unit (PMU) in MOH with the budget outlay of Nu. 1109.572 million. The Project has the Project Steering Commitee (PSC) who gives the guidance and Technical Working Group (TWG) to give necessary technical guidance for the implementation of the project.
Objective
- Reduce Gastric cancer incidence and mortality through early screening and prevention
- Reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality through early screening and prevention
- Reduce breast cancer incidence and mortality through early screening and prevention
Key Strategies
- MASS ERADICATION OF H. PYLORI INFECTION: Considering the high prevalence of H. pylori infection in Bhutan, all populations (18–75 years) will be screened for H. pylori infection using a Rapid Stool Antigen Test/Urea Breath Test. All populations with H. pylori infection will be given H. pylori eradication therapy.
- EARLY GASTRIC CANCER SCREENING AND TREATMENT: Population aged 40–75 years with risk factors for gastric cancer will be screened through endoscopy services and provided the necessary treatment.
- EARLY SCREENING AND TREATMENT OF CERVICAL PRE-CANCERS / CANCER: Women aged 30–65 years will be screened for Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection using a highly sensitive HPV test and liquid-based cytology (reflex cytology). Women aged 25–29 years will be screened using liquid-based cytology. All women infected with HPV and having abnormal cytology results will be treated according to the abnormality.
- EARLY SCREENING AND TREATMENT OF BREAST CANCER: In addition to Clinical Breast Examination, women aged 40–65 years with risk factors will be screened for breast cancer using mammography services.
- ENHANCED ADVOCACY AND AWARENESS PROGRAM: Health advocacies and awareness will be enhanced through training programs of health workers on prevention, early detection and treatment, and public awareness on gastric, cervical and breast cancer.
Project Steering Commitee
- Hon’ble Health Minister (Chair)
- Hon’ble Health Secretary (Vice-Chair)
- Head, DMS – Member
- Head, DOPH – Member
- Head, DOMSHI – Member
- Head, DTMS – Member
- Head, DoS – Member
- President, KGUMSB – Member
- Head, BNCA – Member
- Head, BMHC – Member
- Head, DRA – Member
- Head, JDWNRH – Member
- Project Manager, Health Flagship Project – Member Secretary
Technical Working Group
- Gynecologist
- Medical Special Surgeon
- Onco-surgeon
- Pathologist
- Microbiologist
- Radiologist
- Health Promotion Division