Bhutan Healthcare and Money

By | May 9, 2022

Health care

Vaccinations

Vaccination needed receipt required
yellow fever 1
malaria 3
Typhoid & Polio Yes
cholera 2
Eat Drink 4

Overview

Medical care cannot be compared to Europe and is often problematic in terms of technology, equipment and hygiene. There is often a lack of European-trained doctors who speak English or French. Because of the special high mountain location, there are hardly any rescue options, or at least they are considerably more difficult. Adequate health insurance coverage valid worldwide and reliable travel insurance are strongly recommended. An individual first-aid kit should be taken with you and protected according to the temperatures on the way. Check indexdotcom for more information.

Notes vaccinations

[1] A vaccination certificate against yellow fever is required for all travelers who plan to enter an infection area designated by the WHO within 6 days of their stay. Exceptions are transit passengers in Bhutan and travelers who have not left the transit area in the infected areas. People from infected areas without vaccination are quarantined for a maximum of 6 days. [2] A certificate of vaccination against cholera is not an entry requirement, but there is a risk of infection, especially in the districts of Mongar, Pemagatsel, Phuntsholing, Punakha, Samdrupjonkhar, Tashigang and Thimphu. To protect oneself, one should practice careful drinking water and food hygiene. Since the effectiveness of the vaccination is disputed, it is advisable to seek medical advice in good time before you travel. [3] Malaria protection all year round in the south, especially in the southern districts on the border with India: Chhukha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang and Geylegphug required. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine in the more dangerous form Plasmodium falciparum (> 40%) has been reported. Recommendation: mosquito repellent and emergency medication. [4] Nationwide there is an increased risk of diarrheal diseases due to contamination of drinking water and food. Strict compliance with hygiene measures (food hygiene, personal hygiene, washing hands) is important. Water should generally be drunk before use, Brushing teeth and making ice cubes can either be boiled or otherwise sterilized or bought pre-packaged. When buying packaged water, you should make sure that the original packaging has not been opened. It is best to avoid dairy products as well as pork, raw salads and mayonnaise. Meat and fish dishes should only be well cooked and served hot. Vegetables should be boiled and fruits should be peeled. Warnings are given against consuming and buying prepared food from street stalls and markets. When buying packaged water, you should make sure that the original packaging has not been opened. It is best to avoid dairy products as well as pork, raw salads and mayonnaise. Meat and fish dishes should only be well cooked and served hot. Vegetables should be boiled and fruits should be peeled. Warnings are given against consuming and buying prepared food from street stalls and markets. When buying packaged water, you should make sure that the original packaging has not been opened. It is best to avoid dairy products as well as pork, raw salads and mayonnaise. Meat and fish dishes should only be well cooked and served hot. Vegetables should be boiled and fruits should be peeled. Warnings are given against consuming and buying prepared food from street stalls and markets. Meat and fish dishes should only be well cooked and served hot. Vegetables should be boiled and fruits should be peeled. Warnings are given against consuming and buying prepared food from street stalls and markets. Meat and fish dishes should only be well cooked and served hot. Vegetables should be boiled and fruits should be peeled. Warnings are given against consuming and buying prepared food from street stalls and markets.

Other risks

Nationwide there is an increased risk of infection for hepatitis A. Hepatitis B occurs nationwide. A hepatitis A and B vaccination is generally recommended. HIV/Aids is widespread in the country and worldwide and poses a great risk to anyone who takes the risk of infection: Unprotected sexual contact, unclean syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a significant health risk. Altitude sickness is a dangerous disorder of various organs such as the brain, lungs and kidneys caused by climbing too quickly (more than 100 m per day). The disease can also affect well-trained and healthy people as well as people who used to tolerate great heights well despite fast ascents. Salvation consists in rapid descent. Detailed advice from the specialist before the trip makes sense. Japanese encephalitis occurs in rural areas in the south of the country. Vaccination is recommended. Rabies occurs nationwide. Carriers include dogs, cats, forest animals and bats. Vaccination protection is recommended, as there is hardly any medical care on site and the transport routes are difficult. Cats, forest animals and bats. Vaccination protection is recommended, as there is hardly any medical care on site and the transport routes are difficult. Cats, forest animals and bats. Vaccination protection is recommended, as there is hardly any medical care on site and the transport routes are difficult.

bird flu

A variant of bird flu, which only occurs in animals – but not in humans – has occurred several times since the beginning of 2012, especially in Chhukha District. Travelers should avoid contact with birds, eat poultry and refrain from visiting poultry markets.

Health certificate

Travelers who want to stay in Bhutan for more than 14 days must present an HIV test not older than 6 months.

Money

Currency

1 ngultrum = 100 chhertum. Currency code: NU, BTN (ISO code). The ngultrum is tied to the Indian rupee (the rupee is also valid currency. 500 and 1000 rupee notes are not usually accepted). Banknotes come in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 1 NU. Coins in denominations of 1 NU, 50, 25, 20, 10 and 5 Chhertum.

Credit cards

Major credit cards have very limited acceptance at major hotels in Thiumphu. Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card.

ATMs

Bank cards With the credit card and pin number, money can be withdrawn from ATMs. The Girocard (formerly ec card) with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol is accepted worldwide. It can be used at ATMs with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol in major cities. To be on the safe side, travelers should always have an alternative source of money such as cash. Further information from banks and credit institutes. Few ATMs accept foreign cards, these must have the Maestro or Cirrus sign. It may happen that ATMs do not work or are empty, so make sure you have an adequate supply of cash. Attention: travelers,

Travelers cheques

Traveller’s checks are no longer available in Germany and Switzerland and are hardly available in Austria. Traveller’s checks can be cashed in a few banks in Bhutan’s major cities.

Bank opening hours

Mon-Fri 10am-1pm. In Thimphu, some banks are also open on Saturdays and Sundays for changing money.

Foreign exchange regulations

Unlimited import of local currency and foreign currencies, obligation to declare. Unlimited export of foreign currency, export of local currency only up to 5,000 NU.

Currency Exchange

Major foreign currencies can be exchanged at the airport, the Bhutan National Bank and the Bank of Bhutan, although traveler’s checks can be exchanged for a more favorable exchange rate. Larger hotels in Thimpu, Paro and Puntsholing also exchange foreign currencies.

Currencies

Code Symbol Exchange rates (no guarantee)
BTN well 1 EUR = 71.41 Nu
1 CHF = 84.32 Nu
1 USD = 67.90 Nu

Bhutan Money