Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck inaugurates Bhutan’s First Breast Clinic

Press Release:  

Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck, Royal Patron of the Gyalyum Charitable Trust, graciously inaugurated Bhutan’s first Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic at the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck Mother and Child Hospital in Thimphu. The inaugural event was attended by Her Royal Highness Ashi Eeuphelma Choden Wangchuck, His Excellency Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk, Health Minister and dignitaries.

This landmark clinic, a collaborative endeavor between the Ministry of Health, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH), the National Medical Services, and the Gyalyum Charitable Trust, was made possible through the generous support of the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer (QSCBC), Bangkok, Thailand.

The establishment of the Breast Clinic marks a transformative milestone in Bhutan’s healthcare system in response to the rising burden of breast cancer. The clinic is designed to deliver a full continuum of services, from early screening and accurate diagnosis to surgical and oncological treatment, all under one roof. It brings together a multidisciplinary team of highly trained Bhutanese specialists in radiology, surgery, pathology, and oncology, many of whom received advanced training at QSCBC. This holistic model ensures integrated, patient-centered care and equitable access to quality treatment for women across Bhutan.

The clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical technologies, including the Tomosynthesis 3D Mammography Machine (Hologic, USA), the region’s first Faxitron HD Specimen Radiography Unit, and a precision Near-Infrared Camera (Getinge) for guided surgeries. These advancements will enable earlier detection, improved treatment planning, and better clinical outcomes.

This initiative exemplifies successful cross-border collaboration, with QSCBC providing critical equipment, technical guidance, and ongoing mentorship. The Gyalyum Charitable Trust has played a pivotal role in facilitating this partnership, coordinating global and national stakeholders, and securing key resources and consumables to ensure the clinic’s readiness. The Ministry of Health and JDWNRH have integrated the clinic into existing infrastructure and systems to ensure sustainability.

As Bhutan’s first dedicated breast health facility, the clinic not only enhances clinical capacity but also symbolizes a national commitment to women’s health and universal healthcare. It demonstrates how visionary leadership, public-private partnerships, and international cooperation can together create lasting health solutions.