At the SEAR Primary Healthcare Forum, the WHO Representative to Bhutan, Dr Bhupinder Kaur Aulakh, delivered an impactful presentation highlighting Bhutan NCD landscape and innovative food-based interventions.
Dr Aulakh underscored how shifting diets, moving away from traditional whole-grain foods toward processed items are contributing to growing risk factors, including high salt intake and low fruit and vegetable consumption.
Dr Aulakh presented promising results from the quinoa substitution initiative at the national referral hospital, where replacing 10–80% of white rice with quinoa led to patients reporting lighter digestion, more stable glucose levels, and longer satiety. Scaling up even a 10% substitution could significantly reduce rice imports while supporting local farmers.
Presentations