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National Electronic Patient Information System (ePIS) in Bhutan

Origin language: English
Cover image
Target population
Population (general)
Beneficiaries100001 - 500K
EvidenceQuantitative evidence
Start date2021/04
End date2026/01
StageRoutine project/operational
Country
Bhutan
Coverage
National
Nb of implementation sites
302
Lead organization
Implementation partners
N/A

Health Focus Area
All
Services
Health Management Information Systems (HMIS)
Immunization
Electronic medical record
Enabling technologies
Big Data Analytics
Software
Phone
Standards
ICD-11
HL7 FHIR
DICOM
Tools
N/A
Funding sources
Donors
Government funds
Business model
No business model
Funders
Summary
The ePIS project aims to deliver a nationwide electronic health information system that standardizes the capture, access, and sharing of patient records among healthcare providers. By replacing fragmented paper processes, it enhances continuity and quality of care and supports data-driven decision-making with timely and reliable health information essential for both clinical and health system management. Key objectives include ensuring that at least 90% of patient encounters across health facilities are recorded electronically in ePIS by June 2026 and providing real-time access to standardized health reports and dashboards for national and district health managers by December 2026, targeting the general population.
Keywords
Data driven policy decisions
Digital health interventions
Digital technology
Digital health
Digital health solutions
Publications
Insights - Lessons learnt
Challenges
Implementation faced resistance to change among health workers transitioning from paper-based to digital records, driven by concerns about workload, workflow disruption, and varying digital literacy levels. High clinical workload and staff turnover limited training coverage and consistency. Technical challenges included uneven ICT infrastructure, particularly connectivity and power reliability in remote facilities, limited availability of devices, and early-stage data duplication due to the absence of standardized data definitions and unique identifiers. System performance and usability required continuous optimization as the scale of deployment increased. Contextual Factors - Implementation occurred amid institutional and regulatory changes, including evolving governance arrangements for digital health systems and increasing requirements related to data protection and data sharing.
Recommendations
While these shifts required mid-course adjustments, they also reinforced the importance of standardized digital health systems. Enabling Factors - Strong leadership from the Ministry of Health, close collaboration with GovTech, and active engagement of clinicians and administrators supported adoption. Policy developments and emerging legal requirements for electronic records and reporting further legitimized ePIS use. A phased rollout approach allowed iterative improvements based on user feedback. Best Practices - Key best practices included user-centered system design, Training-of-Trainers and blended learning approaches, standardized data elements and workflows, and the use of open standards and APIs to support interoperability. Clear governance structures and regular stakeholder coordination strengthened alignment and accountability. Implications for Scalability and Sustainability - For sustainability, clear business ownership, data stewardship, and financing mechanisms are essential. Scalable digital health systems require robust architecture, open standards, and continuous capacity building. Routine ePIS data also presents opportunities for operational research and evidence-based planning, reinforcing the system’s long-term value.
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Any additional questions?
iDHA (Project ID)
4ublrs
Project links
N/A
Origin of information
Project stakeholder
Data source link
N/A
Added to the platform on
2026-01-22
Project editors
Last update by
Tandin Dorji on 2026-01-22
Number of views
147
WHO classifications
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