1 Ngultrum Initiative

1 Ngultrum Initiative Create awareness on the importance of 1Nu. in the society and raise fund for kidney patients. "1 Ngultrum Initiative" is the Initiative of Mr.

Jigme Namgay, from Chapcha under Chukha Dzongkhag. He is a graduate in BA Economics and Environment from Royal Thimphu College(RTC) in 2015. His main aim is to create awareness on the importance of one Ngultrum currency in the country whereby the 100% of the fund generated through this initiative will be devoted in supporting individuals and families infected and affected by Kidney disease in Bhut

an. Through his initiative he believe that an individual, groups, agencies, institutions and others shall support for the cause. Each year, the number of people affected by chronic kidney disease is increasing. In 2015, the average number of people diagnosed with chronic kidney disease was 12 persons per month. (Refer also to http://www.kuenselonline.com/kidney-failure-cases-increasing/). A trend is that young adults seem to be increasingly affected; In 2014 alone, 9 students had to compromise their education to receive treatment. These are just cases that the Bhutan Kidney Foundation has come into contact with. The Bhutan Kidney Foundation (BKF) is the registered Civil Society Organization/ Charity organization registered under the Patronage of Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck (Queen of Bhutan). The Foundation is the only CSO in the country advocating for services and care for people with chronic kidney diseases. Besides its relentless focus on early detection and prevention programs through advocacy and awareness particularly focusing on Non-Communicable Diseases like Diabetes and High Blood Pressure and infections, the Foundation’s Patient’s Support Programme is perceived as an important aspect which determines patients’ courage to battle kidney disease and live healthier lives. Through this 1 Ngultrum initiative, the Initiator aims to raise fund for the Bhutanese Kidney Patients Welfare project under the Bhutan Kidney Foundation. The fund raised will be used for the following activities:

1. Grocery Support at Patient Guest Houses(Thimphu and Mongar):

Based on the need identified, the BKF intercedes in this issue by supplying groceries, green vegetables and toiletries at the Patient Guest Houses1 once in every two months ensuring that the patients’ basic needs are met.

2.Goods Support at Patient Guest Houses(Thimphu and Mongar):

As Kidney patients occupying the Guest Houses are confronted with difficulties to meet seasonal requirement, the BKF ensure that the patients are sheltered with proper and basic need such as room heaters, table fans, electrical cooking appliances, refrigerators and recreational facilities among others.

3.Academic expenses of patients’ school going children:

While undergoing treatment (dialysis) far away from home, meeting children’s education expenses comes as a big burden as many adult victims are either single parents or sole bread earner of the family. This compels parents to either withdraw children from school or send as domestic worker with others. The BKF work closely with the school management of respective students for the scholarship of those deprived students.

4.Financial support for review & treatment in India:

Despite Government’s support, many patients suffer huge financial deficit while undergoing months and months of treatment/Surgery in India where living expenses are relatively expensive on the requirement to maintain extreme hygiene. On patients’ approach and proposal, the BKF provide short term financial assistance after verifying the families’ source of income/financial status with assist from the local government of the patients’ village/sub-district.

5.Travel Expenses on referral & treatment – Domestic:

The kidney patients undergoing dialysis in Mongar and Gelephu Regional Referral Hospital face financial problem when referred for further treatment in the Capital. The BKF extends its support in this area by covering the patients’ travel fare, food and accommodation.

6.Seed Money for Home-Based business:

As to meaningfully engage the dialysis patients, the BKF provide seed money or the materials to start up Home-Based Business for the patients residing at the Patient Guest Houses. These activities infuse values and belief that dialysis patients can as well work and live a normal life and thus, enabling them to equally contribute for the socio-economic development of the country.

7.Others:

This area reserves for ad hoc and unplanned patient support programme such as semso during the event of death and other misfortunes, repair and maintenance of public property installed at the Patient Guest Houses and renovation/refurbishment of Patient Guest Houses among others.

12/03/2026
12/03/2026

World Kidney Day this year will be observed at Paro College of Education with the faculties and university students.
World Kidney Day

04/03/2026

Nu. 1,18,000 a Month - Keeping Hope Alive for Bhutanese Kidney Patients in Kolkata

Did you know that the Bhutan Kidney Foundation spends Nu. 1,18,000 every month to support needy kidney patients that are referred by the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan to Kolkata for kidney transplant and related treatment?

The support under the Bhutan Kidney Foundation Kidney Patients Guest House provides clean and safe accommodation, navigation assistance, and essential guidance for patients far from home. This initiative is to complement the great effort put by the Royal Government of Bhutan. So far, the Foundation has accommodated or assisted 142 kidney patients till now since its establishment on 4th June 2025 coinciding with the Birth Anniversary of BKF Royal Patron Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen, along with their caregivers, kidney donors, legal guardians, and accompanying family members.

This vital initiative survives purely on donations. At present, it is being sustained by our official network, Bhutan Kidney Foundation–New York. While we are deeply grateful, we remain concerned about sustaining this support in the years ahead.

Nevertheless, we are committed to keeping this accommodation and support service alive, as it makes a profound difference, especially for patients from economically disadvantaged and rural backgrounds.

So far, the Guest House has catered services to 142 beneficiaries saving huge out-of-pocket expenditure and currently 21 beneficiaries are residing at our Guest House under the dedicated care of our staff manager, who herself is a courageous 24 years old kidney donor to her father.

Thank you members of Bhutan Kidney Foundation-New York and Aum Yangchhen Dema (Coordinator) for your continued trust and support in helping us stand beside those who need it most. In addition, we would like to thank all the Monthly Contributors, 1 Ngultrum Initiative member volunteers, birthday giving donors and others for standing with us strong.

BKF is audited by the Royal Audit Authority annually to ensure transparency and accountability. @top fans

Thank you Amo Chu Food Truck and team.
21/02/2026

Thank you Amo Chu Food Truck and team.

NGULTRUM LOVEThank you Deki from Phuntsholing for handing over 1 Ngultrum collection including 5 Ngultrum notes amountin...
23/12/2025

NGULTRUM LOVE

Thank you Deki from Phuntsholing for handing over 1 Ngultrum collection including 5 Ngultrum notes amounting to Nu. 347. The 100% donation will be used for the needy kidney patients through Bhutan Kidney Foundation

Your support is highly appreciated..!

07/07/2025
07/07/2025

The Bhutan Kidney Foundation also conducted an awareness session with the National Senior Women's
Football Team including coach beginning with an introduction to the Foundation and its mission.

The session then focused on kidney health, prevention measures and lifestyle practices for maintaining good kidney health.

We appreciate the team’s active participation and their support rendered with both cash and kind donation.

Together, we strive for a healthier Bhutan.

Thank you Food Truck, Amochu for believing in our work. Most importantly, we would like to thank all the contributors.
01/07/2025

Thank you Food Truck, Amochu for believing in our work. Most importantly, we would like to thank all the contributors.

The Bhutan Kidney Foundation would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the Food Truck at Ammo Chu, Phuentsholing, for their generous support and active participation in the 1 Nu Initiatives Project.

Through their kind involvement, they have contributed a total of Nu. 6,183/- towards the wellbeing of kidney patients an inspiring gesture that reflects true compassion and community spirit.

If you would like to be part of this meaningful cause, we warmly welcome you to join the 1 Nu Initiatives Project. For more information, please contact 17913936.

Together, every ngultrum counts.

Address

Kawang Zur Lam, 36NW
Thimphu
11001

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+97577971800

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