Nu. 248 million ADB-funded deployment brings essential health services closer to communities in hard-to-reach areas
THIMPHU, BHUTAN – 27 August 2026: The Hon’ble Health Minister, Tandin Wangchuk and Ayako Inagaki, Deputy Director General, Asian Development Bank, today officially inaugurated eleven new Mobile Medical Units (MMUs), marking a significant milestone in Bhutan’s efforts to enhance healthcare access across the country.
Procured with financial support of Nu. 248 million under the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility (APVAX) project, the MMUs aim to strengthen outreach health services and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare for all citizens, particularly those residing in hard-to-reach communities. By bringing medical care directly to communities, the MMUs are expected to improve early diagnosis, treatment, and preventive care, reducing barriers for populations living far from health facilities.
Each Mobile Medical Unit will be staffed by a doctor, a female health worker, a laboratory technician, and a pharmacist. The units will provide a range of services, including screening for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), outpatient consultations, Maternal and Child Healthcare (MCH), Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services, and health advocacy and promotion activities. Additionally, equipped with essential lifesaving medical equipment, these MMUs will also assist in the timely referral and transport of critical patients.
Of the 29 MMUs planned under the project, the current batch of eleven will be deployed to Wangdichoeling Hospital (Bumthang), Phuentsholing Hospital (Chukha), Dagapela Hospital (Dagana), Eastern Regional Referral Hospital (ERRH) (Mongar), Nganglam Hospital (Pemagatshel), Jomotshangkha Hospital (Samdrup Jongkhar), Tashichoeling Hospital (Samtse), Gidakom Hospital (Thimphu), Riserboo Hospital (Trashigang), Trashiyangtse Hospital (Trashiyangtse), and Damphu Hospital (Tsirang).
This latest batch builds on an earlier deployment of ten MMUs launched on 17 March 2026, to Trashigang Hospital, Samtse Hospital, Yebilaptsa Hospital, Wangdue Phodrang Hospital, Haa Hospital, Samdrup Jongkhar Hospital, Trongsa Hospital, Lhuentse Hospital, Pemagatshel Hospital, and the Eastern Regional Referral Hospital in Mongar.
Deputy Director General, Asian Development Bank stated that, “This initiative represents a critical step toward ensuring that essential medical care reaches every corner of the country, furthering Bhutan’s commitment to equitable and inclusive healthcare for its people”
Hon’ble Health Minister, stated that, “The MMU initiative is a carefully thought-out and planned intervention aimed at fulfilling the current government’s aspiration to deploy once doctor to every gewog health centre, based on resident population needs, along with adequate supporting health staff.”
