National Reporting Instrument 2015

Hide all

Section: Background

Hide [S01] Monitoring progress on the implementation of Code – Second round reporting (2015-2016)

On May 21, 2010 the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel (the “Code”) was adopted by the 193 Member States of the World Health Organization. The Code encourages information exchange on issues related to health personnel and health systems in the context of migration, and suggests regular reporting every three years on measures taken to implement the Code. The reporting process is an integral component of the effective implementation of the voluntary principles and practices recommended by the Code.


A self-assessment tool for countries second-round reporting


To monitor the progress made in implementing the Code, and in accordance with the request of the World Health Assembly (Resolution WHA63.16), a national self-assessment tool was created for Member States. 

You have been nominated as Designated National Authority (DNA) to respond to the updated national reporting instrument (NRI) via this web-based data interface.



Disclaimer: The  data  and information collected through the  National Reporting Instrument will be made publicly available  via the WHO web-site  following the proceedings of the World Health Assembly, May 2016. 


Please proceed usnig 'Next' button

 

Hide all

Contact details

Hide [G1Q00001] Name of Member State
Bhutan
Hide [G1Q00002] Contact information of DNA
Full name of institution
Ministry of Health
Name of contact officer
Wangchen Norbu (Mr)
Title of contact officer
Senior Human Resource Officer
Mailing address
HRD, Ministry of Health, Thimphu,Bhutan
Telephone number
00975 2 337288/ 00975 17326186
Fax number
00975 2 337288
Email address
wnorbu@health.gov.bt
Hide all

Section 01: Qualitative information (1-4)

Hide [S11] 1)      In your country, do equally qualified and experienced migrant health personnel enjoy the same legal rights and responsibilities as the domestically trained health workforce in terms of employment and conditions of work?
Yes
Hide [S12] 2)   Which legal safeguards and/or other mechanisms are in place to ensure that migrant health personnel enjoy the same legal rights and responsibilities as the domestically trained health workforce? Please tick all options that apply from the list below:
2.a) Migrant health personnel are recruited internationally using mechanisms that allow them to assess the benefits and risk associated with employment positions and to make timely and informed decisions regarding them
2.b) Migrant health personnel are hired, promoted and remunerated based on objective criteria such as levels of qualification, years of experience and degrees of professional responsibility on the same basis as the domestically trained health workforce
2.c) Migrant health personnel enjoy the same opportunities as the domestically trained health workforce to strengthen their professional education, qualifications and career progression
2.d) Other mechanism, please provide details if possible:
A service agreement is signed between the recruiting agency- Ministry of Health and the Health worker for which TOR, Remuneration, terms & conditions are illustrated in details.
Other
Hide [S13] 3)  Please submit any other comments or information you wish to provide regarding legal, administrative and other measures that have been taken or are planned in your country to ensure fair recruitment and employment practices.
Following the Memorandum of Understanding for the recruitment, Ministry of Health seek approval from the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) as all recruitment to civil service shall require approval of the Royal Government through RCSC for recruitment.
Hide [S14] 4)  Please submit any other comments or information you wish to provide regarding difficulties faced by your health personnel working outside your country and any measures that have been taken or are planned in your country to ensure their fair recruitment and employment practices.
Currently there is no practice that exist for international recruitment of Bhutanese to work outside due to the shortage of health workforce specially doctors and specialist in Bhutan. Further,they have to serve country in the Ministry of Health since they were trained by the Royal Government of Bhutan through scholarship.
Hide all

Section 01: Qualitative information (5-12)

Hide [S15] 5)  Has your country or its sub-national governments entered into bilateral, regional or multilateral agreements or arrangements addressing the international recruitment of health personnel?
Yes
Hide [S16i]

Please use Table A below to describe these bilateral, regional or multilateral agreements or arrangements:

* Please use this occupational category only if the information available has no clear separation in reported numbers between the two cadres

Hide [S16] 6)
Hide [S16a]

Type of Agreement

Hide [S16b] Countries Involved

Hide [S16c]

Coverage

Hide [S16d] Validity period
(from–to)
Hide [S16e]

Categories of Skilled Health Personnel 

Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Nurses/Midwives*
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other (include details as necessary)
Other
Hide [S16f]

Please attach a documentation  file if possible

 

Hide [S16g] Please provide a web-link if possible
Hide [S16i1] Agreement 1
Hide [S16i1a]

Type of Agreement

Bilateral
Hide [S16i1b] Countries Involved
Cuba & Myanmar
Hide [S16i1c] Coverage
National
Hide [S16i1d] Validity period 
(from–to)
2
Hide [S16i1e]

Categories of Skilled Health Personnel (Include all that apply)

* Please use this category only if the information available has no clear separation in reported numbers between the two cadres

Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Nurses/Midwives*
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other
Hide [S16i1f]

Please attach a documentation  file if possible

(In case of multiple documents, please create one single zip file for upload)

Hide [S16i1g] Please provide a web-link if possible
Hide [S16i2] Agreement 2
Hide [S16i2a]

Type of Agreement

Bilateral
Hide [S16i2b] Countries Involved
India & Nepal
Hide [S16i2c] Coverage
National
Hide [S16i2d] Validity period 
(from–to)
2
Hide [S16i2e]

Categories of Skilled Health Personnel (Include all that apply)

* Please use this category only if the information available has no clear separation in reported numbers between the two cadres

Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Nurses/Midwives*
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other
Hide [S16i2f]

Please attach a documentation  file if possible

(In case of multiple documents, please create one single zip file for upload)

Hide [S16i2g] Please provide a web-link if possible
Hide [S16i3] Agreement 3
Hide [S16i3a]

Type of Agreement

Hide [S16i3b] Countries Involved

Hide [S16i3c] Coverage
Hide [S16i3d] Validity period 
(from–to)
Hide [S16i3e]

Categories of Skilled Health Personnel (Include all that apply)

* Please use this category only if the information available has no clear separation in reported numbers between the two cadres

Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Nurses/Midwives*
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other
Hide [S16i3f]

Please attach a documentation  file if possible

(In case of multiple documents, please create one single zip file for upload)

Hide [S16i3g] Please provide a web-link if possible
Hide [S16i4] Agreement 4
Hide [S16i4a]

Type of Agreement

Hide [S16i4b] Countries Involved

Hide [S16i4c] Coverage
Hide [S16i4d] Validity period 
(from–to)
Hide [S16i4e]

Categories of Skilled Health Personnel (Include all that apply)

* Please use this category only if the information available has no clear separation in reported numbers between the two cadres

Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Nurses/Midwives*
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other
Hide [S16i4f]

Please attach a documentation  file if possible

(In case of multiple documents, please create one single zip file for upload)

Hide [S16i4g] Please provide a web-link if possible
Hide [S16i5] Agreement 5
Hide [S16i5a]

Type of Agreement

Hide [S16i5b] Countries Involved

Hide [S16i5c] Coverage
Hide [S16i5d] Validity period 
(from–to)
Hide [S16i5e]

Categories of Skilled Health Personnel (Include all that apply)

* Please use this category only if the information available has no clear separation in reported numbers between the two cadres

Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Nurses/Midwives*
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other
Hide [S16i5f]

Please attach a documentation  file if possible

(In case of multiple documents, please create one single zip file for upload)

Hide [S16i5g] Please provide a web-link if possible
Hide [S16i6] Agreement 6
Hide [S16i6a]

Type of Agreement

Hide [S16i6b] Countries Involved

Hide [S16i6c] Coverage
Hide [S16i6d] Validity period 
(from–to)
Hide [S16i6e]

Categories of Skilled Health Personnel (Include all that apply)

* Please use this category only if the information available has no clear separation in reported numbers between the two cadres

Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Nurses/Midwives*
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other
Hide [S16i6f]

Please attach a documentation  file if possible

(In case of multiple documents, please create one single zip file for upload)

Hide [S16i6g] Please provide a web-link if possible
Hide all

Section 01: Qualitative information (5-12) contd.

Hide [S17] 7) If your country or its sub-national governments entered into bilateral, regional or multilateral agreements, do those take account of the needs of developing countries and countries with economies in transition?
No
Hide [S19] 9)  Does your country strive to meet its health personnel needs with its domestically trained health personnel, notably through measures to educate, retain and sustain a health workforce that is appropriate for the specific conditions of your country, including areas of greatest need?
Yes
Hide [S110]

10)  If “Yes”,  use Table B below to indicate the top 3 measures in place :

Table B – measures taken to educate, retain and sustain the health workforce

Measure Type Description
10.a) Scholarship Fees and Hostel facilities
10.b) Recruitment Recruited after completion of course to civil service
10.c) Continuing Education & Allowance Trainings are provided timely and allowances are paid to Health professional.
Hide [S111] 11)  Has your country adopted measures to address the geographical mal-distribution of health workers and to support their retention in underserved areas?
Yes
Hide [S112]

12) If “Yes”,  use Table C below to indicate the top 3 measures in place :

Table C – measures taken to address the geographical mal-distribution of health workers

Measure Type Description
12.a) Service standard Planned for required number of staff with mix skills
12.b) Recruitment/Transfer Compulsory to work for 2 years minimum once recruited/transferred.
12.c) Allowance High altitude allowance and Difficulty Allowance
Hide all

Section 01: Qualitative information (13-17)

Hide [S113] 13)  Does your country have any (government and/or non-government) programs or institutions undertaking research in health personnel migration?
No
Hide [S115] 15) Has your country established a database of laws and regulations related to international health personnel recruitment and migration and, as appropriate, information related to their implementation?
No
Hide [S116] 16)  Does your country have any mechanism(s) or entity(ies) to maintain statistical records of health personnel whose first qualification was obtained overseas?
Yes
Hide [S1161]

16.1)  Please use Table E below to provide the contact details of each entity.

 

Table E Contact details of mechanism(s) or entity(ies) maintaining  statistical records of health personnel whose first qualification was obtained overseas

Name of mechanism or entity Contact details Web-link (if available)
16.1 a) Bhutan Medical and Health Council www.bmhc.gov.bt
16.1 b) Royal Civil Service Commission www.rcsc.gov.bt
16.1 c) Ministry of Health www.health.gov.bt
16.1 d)
16.1 e)
16.1 f)
16.1 g)
Hide [S1162]

16.2) For the entity named in Q(16.1) please use Table F below to specify whether the information gathered include the following:

Table F Description of the statistical information available on the internationally recruited health personnel

Hide [S1162col1] 16.2)
Hide [S1162col2]

Entity


Hide [S1162col3] Occupation category


Hide [S1162col4] Country of first qualification


Hide [S1162col5] Year of first recruitment


Hide [S1162col6] Age


Hide [S1162col7] Sex

Hide [S1162aa] Entity 1
Hide [S1162a] Entity
Bhutan Medical and Health Council
Hide [S1162b]

Categories of Skilled Health Personnel (Include all that apply)

* Please use this category only if the information available has no clear separation in reported numbers between the two cadres

Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Nurses/Midwives*
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other
Hide [S1162c] Country of first qualification
Yes
Hide [S1162d] Year of first recruitment

Yes
Hide [S1162e] Age
Yes
Hide [S1162f] Sex
Yes
Hide [S1162bb] Entity 2
Hide [S1162a2] Entity
Royal Civil Service Commission
Hide [S1162b2]

Categories of Skilled Health Personnel (Include all that apply)

* Please use this category only if the information available has no clear separation in reported numbers between the two cadres

Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Nurses/Midwives*
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other
Hide [S1162c2] Country of first qualification
Yes
Hide [S1162d2] Year of first recruitment

Yes
Hide [S1162e2] Age
Yes
Hide [S1162f2] Sex
Yes
Hide [S11623] Entity 3
Hide [S1162a3] Entity
Ministry of Health
Hide [S1162b3]

Categories of Skilled Health Personnel (Include all that apply)

* Please use this category only if the information available has no clear separation in reported numbers between the two cadres

Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Nurses/Midwives*
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other
Hide [S1162c3] Country of first qualification
Yes
Hide [S1162d3] Year of first recruitment

Yes
Hide [S1162e3] Age
Yes
Hide [S1162f3] Sex
Yes
Hide [S1162dd] Entity 4
Hide [S1162a4] Entity

Hide [S1162b4]

Categories of Skilled Health Personnel (Include all that apply)

* Please use this category only if the information available has no clear separation in reported numbers between the two cadres

Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Nurses/Midwives*
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other
Hide [S1162c4] Country of first qualification
Hide [S116d4] Year of first recruitment

Hide [S1162e4] Age
Hide [S1162f4] Sex
Hide [S1162ee] Entity 5
Hide [S1162a5] Entity

Hide [S1162b5]

Categories of Skilled Health Personnel (Include all that apply)

* Please use this category only if the information available has no clear separation in reported numbers between the two cadres

Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Nurses/Midwives*
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other
Hide [S1162c5] Country of first qualification
Hide [S1162d5] Year of first recruitment

Hide [S1162e5] Age
Hide [S1162f5] Sex
Hide all

Section 01: Qualitative information (13-17) contd.

Hide [S117] 17)  Does your country have any mechanism(s) or entity(ies) to regulate or grant authorization to practice to internationally recruited health personnel and maintain statistical records on them?
Yes
Hide [S1171]

17.1)  Please use Table G below to provide the contact details of each entity.

 

Table G Contact details of mechanism(s) or entity(ies) regulating ot granting  authorization to practice to internationally recruited health personnel

Name of mechanism or entity Contact details Web-link (if available)
17.1 a) Bhutan Medical and Health Council www.bmhc.gov.bt
17.1 b)
17.1 c)
17.1 d)
17.1 e)
17.1 f)
17.1 g)
Hide [S1172]

 For the entity named in Q(17.1) please use Table H below to indicate whether the information gathered include the following details:

Table H Description of information available on authorization and regulation of practice of internationally recruited health personnel

Hide [S1172col1] 17.2)
Hide [S1172col2]

Entity


Hide [S1172col3] Occupation category


Hide [S1172col4] Country of first qualification


Hide [S1172col5] Year of first recruitment


Hide [S1172col6] Age


Hide [S1172col7] Sex

Hide [S1172aa] Entity 1
Hide [S1172a] Entity
Bhutan Medical and Health Council
Hide [S1172b]

Categories of Skilled Health Personnel (Include all that apply)

* Please use this category only if the information available has no clear separation in reported numbers between the two cadres

Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Nurses/Midwives*
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other (include details as necessary)
Other
Hide [S1172c] Country of first qualification

Yes
Hide [S1172d] Year of first recruitment

Yes
Hide [S1172e] Age
Yes
Hide [S1172f] Sex
Yes
Hide [S1172bb] Entity 2
Hide [S1172a2] Entity

Hide [S1172b2]

Categories of Skilled Health Personnel (Include all that apply)

* Please use this category only if the information available has no clear separation in reported numbers between the two cadres

Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Nurses/Midwives*
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other (include details as necessary)
Other
Hide [S1172c2] Country of first qualification

Yes
Hide [S1172d2] Year of first recruitment

Yes
Hide [S1172e2] Age
Hide [S1172f2] Sex
Hide [S1172cc] Entity 3
Hide [S1172a3] Entity

Hide [S1172b3]

Categories of Skilled Health Personnel (Include all that apply)

* Please use this category only if the information available has no clear separation in reported numbers between the two cadres

Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Nurses/Midwives*
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other (include details as necessary)
Other
Hide [S1172c3] Country of first qualification

Hide [S1172d3] Year of first recruitment

Hide [S1172e3] Age
Hide [S1172f3] Sex
Hide [S1172dd] Entity 4
Hide [S1172a4] Entity

Hide [S1172b4]

Categories of Skilled Health Personnel (Include all that apply)

* Please use this category only if the information available has no clear separation in reported numbers between the two cadres

Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Nurses/Midwives*
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other (include details as necessary)
Other
Hide [S1172c4] Country of first qualification

Hide [S1172d4] Year of first recruitment

Hide [S1172e4] Age
Hide [S1172f4] Sex
Hide [S1172ee] Entity 5
Hide [S1172a5] Entity

Hide [S1172b5]

Categories of Skilled Health Personnel (Include all that apply)

* Please use this category only if the information available has no clear separation in reported numbers between the two cadres

Doctors
Nurses
Midwives
Nurses/Midwives*
Dentists
Pharmacists
Other (include details as necessary)
Other
Hide [S1172c5] Country of first qualification

Hide [S1172d5] Year of first recruitment

Hide [S1172e5] Age
Hide [S1172f5] Sex
Hide all

Section 01: Qualitative information (18-21)

Hide [S118] 18) Has an assessment of what is needed to implement the Code at the national, sub-national and local level been made?
Yes
Hide [S1181] 18.1) Please submit any other comments or information you wish to provide regarding question:

The Ministry of Health and Bhutan Medical and Health Council (BMHC) is fully involved in areas as BMHC is working under the same management. At current, it is easier to coordinate and share information. However, when BMHC is granted autonomous, it is vital to have Terms of Reference if the Royal Government liberalizes international recruitment.
Hide [S119] 19) Has your country taken any steps to implement the Code?
Yes
Hide [S120] 20) To describe those steps taken to implement the Code, please tick all items that apply from the list below – the box can be ticked even if only some of the elements per step have been applied:
20.a) Actions have been taken to communicate and share information across sectors on health worker recruitment and migration issues, as well as the Code, among relevant ministries, departments and agencies, nationally and sub-nationally
20.b) Measures have been taken to involve all stakeholders in any decision-making processes involving health personnel migration and international recruitment.
20.c) Actions are being considered to introduce changes to laws or policies to bring them into conformity with the recommendations of the Code.
20.d) Records are maintained of all recruiters authorized by competent authorities to operate within their jurisdiction.
20.e) There exists a mechanism for regulation and accreditation of all recruiters authorized by competent authorities to operate within their jurisdiction.
20.f) Good practices are encouraged and promoted among recruitment agencies.
20.g) If Other steps have been taken, please give more details:
The Ministry of health is coordinating with the Bhutan Medical and Health Counci to improve the record on statistics and share among relevant stakeholders. A record of full profile is always maintained. Due to shortage of doctors and nurses in the country, the Royal Government of Bhutan current do not allow international recruitment of our health workers to other countries.
Other
Hide [S121] 21) Please list in priority order, the three main constraints to the implementation of the Code in your country and propose possible solutions:
Main constraints Possible solution
21.a) Proper data record system Information system to be developed and must be web based.
21.b) Technical expertise Technical Allowance and Financial support for short term
21.c) Less Awareness Technical Allowance and Financial support for short term
Hide all

Section 01: Qualitative information (22-24)

Hide [S122] 22) Has your country provided assistance to one or more Member States or other stakeholders to support their implementation of the Code?
No
Hide [S123] 23) Does your country receive / requested assistance from one or more countries or other stakeholders to support its implementation of the Code?
No
Hide [S124] 24.1) Please submit any other complementary comments or material you wish to provide regarding the international recruitment and management of migration of the health workforce that would relate to implementation of the Code.
The Ministry of Health is getting support from the WHO Country Office Bhutan, to attend meeting for the implementation of the WHO code of Practice to have a better understanding on the international recruitment and management of the migration of health workers. Such support helps to enhance knowledge in coordinating with Bhutan Medical and Health Council and other relevant agencies, and also with other countries of SEARO, and finally to comply with mandates of WHO and improve the implementation of the code.
Hide [S242] 24.2) Please submit any other complementary  material you wish to provide regarding the international recruitment and management of migration of the health workforce that would relate to implementation of the Code.
Hide all

Section 02: Quantitative information - Minimum Data Sets

Hide [S2]

Questionnaire on Foreign-trained Doctors and Nurses

Please follow the instructions within the spreadsheet to complete the questionnaire.


To download the spreadheet please follow the link: /dataformv6/upload/surveys/378366/docs/Adapted_Template_Workforce%20Migration_2015.xls

 

Hide [S22] Please upload the filled out spreadsheet here
Hide all

Section 03: Reporting instrument for other stakeholders (optional)

Hide [S31] Submitted by: 
Wangchen Norbu (Mr), Senior Human Resource Officer, Human Resource Division, the Ministry of Health, Bhutan
Hide [S32] Contact details:
Human Resource Division, the Ministry of Health, Bhutan Email# wnorbu@health.gov.bt
Hide [S33] Name of entity submitting the report:
Human Resource Division, The Ministry of Health.
Hide [S34] Responsible and/or contact person:
Wangchen Norbu
Hide [S35] Mailing address:
uman Resource Division, the Ministry of Health, Bhutan
Hide [S36] Telephone number:
00975 2 337288/00975 17326186
Hide [S37] Fax:
00975 2 337288
Hide [S38] Email:
wnorbu@health.gov.bt/wnorbu1979@gmail.com
Hide [S39] Website URL :
www.health.gov.bt
Hide [S310] Description of the entity submitting the report:
The Human Resource Division (HRD) is one of the Division under the Ministry of Health. HRD is also accountable and responsible for the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC) as the RCSC is parent agency for all Human Resource Offers working in HRD. HRD is also bridge between the Ministry of Health and RCSC. HRD is responsible and answerable for all kind of human resource actions.
Hide [S311] Please describe the entity submitting this report and the nature of its involvement or interest in international health personnel migration issues relevant to the Code.
The Human Resource Division under the Ministry of Health is responsible for recruitment of health professionals and management of exiting health professionals