Every baby born small or sick deserves more than survival—they deserve to thrive.
Bhutan has made remarkable progress: under-five mortality has dropped from 162 to 19.5 per 1,000 live births, and NICU survival for babies born before 28 weeks has improved from 27.8% in 2017 to 66.7% in 2025. More mothers are delivering with skilled hands, and breastfeeding rates are rising.
But preterm birth and low birth weight remain the leading cause of under-five deaths in Bhutan. In 2023–2024, 63% of neonatal deaths occurred in preterm babies. Small and sick newborns need specialized, compassionate, family-centred care—warmth, safe feeding, Kangaroo Mother Care, infection prevention, breathing support, and parents kept close.
That’s why Small & Sick Newborn Care (SSNC) is a priority under the Bhutan Every Newborn Action Plan 2025–2029.
From Sept 29–Oct 1, 2026, at ERRH Monggar, 8 instructors headed by neonatologist trained 22 nurses from 7 hospitals in Eastern Bhutan. They covered 19 critical topics—from thermoregulation and gavage feeds to CPAP, neonatal sepsis, seizures, and follow-up. This is how we build lifesaving capacity where it’s needed most.
With the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck Mother-and-Child Hospital coming up in Monggar, this training is timely. Every skilled nurse, every guideline, every supported family brings us closer to a Bhutan where no newborn dies from preventable causes.
As His Majesty the King said: “If you care, you will dare.” Let’s dare to give every small and sick newborn the best chance at life
