HighlightsPCV13 and PCV10 are both cost-effective in Bhutan.PCV13 yields better health outcomes and slightly more cost than PCV10.Introducing PCV would reduce the workload of scarce medical specialists in Bhutan.

Objective This study aims to identify the required management competencies, current competency levels, and strategies for improving the management competencies of Bhutanese primary health care (PHC) managers. Methods A quantitative method with a cross-sectional survey using self-administered questionnaires. This study recruited 339 PHC managers across Bhutan. The data were analyzed using statistical software. Results This study identified three competency domains and seven key sub-domain competencies. People domain was perceived to be the highest required competency with a mean score of 4.2376, followed by execution (4.1851), and the transformation (4.0501) domains. For the seven key sub-domains, the communication sub-domain (4.3220) was perceived as the highest required competency, followed by professionalism (4.2967), managing change (4.1776), relationship building (4.1686), analytical thinking (4.1091), leadership (4.0980), and innovative thinking (3.9794). The current competency levels of PHC managers in domains and sub-domain competencies were the people domain (3.7322), execution (3.6471), and the transformation (3.5554). For the sub-domains, communication (3.8092), professionalism (3.7939), relationship building (3.6603), analytical thinking (3.6396), leadership (3.5805), managing change (3.5723), and innovative thinking (3.4543). Conclusion Findings of Bhutan health managers’ competencies are consistent with the findings of other international contexts. This study suggests that agencies responsible for health system need to focus more on the competencies defined by the study to positively influence health leadership and management development interventions.

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Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing the risk of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) with concern over the convergence of these two diseases. Although screening for PTB among people with DM has been recommended by WHO, it has not been implemented in Bhutan yet. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of PTB among people living with DM at the National Referral Hospital (NRH), Thimphu, Bhutan. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from 1st June – 9th October 2018. All 343 consenting DM patients were screened for PTB using the WHO recommended questionnaire and those with TB positive symptoms were tested for active PTB using sputum smear microscopy and Gene-Xpert. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21. Results: The prevalence of PTB among people living with DM was 0.87% (95% CI: 0.20-2.50).The mean age was 54.95 (± 13.2 years) and all were DM type II. The median duration of diabetes was 4 years (range of 0.1-40 years), an average level of HbA1c 7.47 (± 2.6), and median duration on DM medication was 4 years (range of 0.1-40 years) with the majority (88.9%) on oral hypoglycemic drugs. Good glycemic control (HbA1c< 7) was achieved by 39.4% of individuals. PTB risk factors included PTB positive symptoms (7.0%), prior PTB history (5.5%) and recent contact with PTB patient (5.0%). Additional known PTB risk factors were smoking (7.6%), alcohol use (4.1%) and low body mass index (1.5%). Conclusions: Although the prevalence PTB was low, health education, proper case management and risk based screening for PTB among DM is recommended.

Retroperitoneal teratoma is a extragonadal germ cell tumor comprising 5% of all teratomas in children, and the third most common retroperitoneal neoplasm in children. This is a case report of a 2 years old girl who presented with abdominal distension and palpable mass. The imaging findings of the mass was characteristic of retroperitoneal teratoma which was confirmed by histopathology report following complete excision. Retroperitoneal tumor is an uncommon tumor in children with characteristic imaging findings. Computed tomography is mainly used to evaluate the extent of the disease. Most of the retroperitoneal tumors are benign and curable with complete surgical excision.