Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) prevalence and quality of care in Bhutan

Bhutan is a small country located in the eastern Himalayas. It is known for its pristine environment and carbon negative status. Socioeconomic development began in 1960s but until a decade ago, most of the population lacked access to road networks or electricity.

The government provides free healthcare including all diagnostics and management. However, equitable access to diagnostic tests and care during medical exacerbations are a major challenge for many patients who reside in the mountains in rural areas. In fact, the majority of patients currently being labelled chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), asthma or bronchiectasis have never undergone a spirometry test. The impacts of climate change such as heavy monsoon leading to landslides results in roadblocks, roads and bridges getting washed away, resulting in villages getting cut off from health centres for weeks. 

Through this project, our aim is to establish the population level prevalence and risk factors associated with chronic respiratory disease (CRD) in Bhutan, the first of its kind in the country. We will assess the quality of life, quality of care and barriers to accessing CRD care across various districts in Bhutan. We will also explore how climate change and environmental factors are associated with CRD prevalence and access to care.