Bhutan Health Journal expands global reach with DOAJ Indexation and Research4Life impact
In a significant achievement for Bhutan’s medical and academic community, the Bhutan Health Journal (BHJ) has been indexed in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) and Scopus and included in the Research4Life content portal. These milestones mark a new chapter for the journal, enhancing its visibility and credibility on the global stage.
Launched in 2015, the Bhutan Health Journal is the country’s first medical journal. It was established by the Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGUMSB) to provide a platform for Bhutanese clinicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals to share their work, ideas, and experiences. As a peer-reviewed, open-access journal, BHJ aims to contribute to the advancement of health sciences, both in Bhutan and internationally.
A broad platform for knowledge exchange
Dr. Sweta Giri, Managing Editor, BHJ
The journal positions itself as a general medical journal, welcoming submissions from a variety of healthcare professionals, including clinicians, nurses, and public health experts. As Dr. Sweta Giri, Managing Editor of the journal, explained,
“Our contributors and audience include both national and international clinicians, nurses, midwives, medical educators, and others involved in healthcare and health policy.”
This diversity ensures that the journal plays a key role in the global exchange of health-related
The Bhutan Health Journal’s growth since 2015 has been remarkable. Initially, the journal primarily received submissions from Bhutanese researchers. However, the establishment of the Faculty of Postgraduate Medicine at KGUMSB and the rise of evidence-based practice in the region have contributed to a steady increase in submissions from neighboring countries.
A major turning point came in November 2023 when BHJ was indexed in the DOAJ, greatly boosting its global visibility. This was followed by another milestone in April 2024, when BHJ was accepted for indexing by Scopus. Reflecting on these achievements, Dr. Giri shared,
“These achievements have significantly increased the number of submissions we receive.”
Today, the journal publishes articles online as soon as the peer review process is complete, allowing for quicker dissemination of research.
Collaborative success
Bhutan Health Journal editorial meeting
The growth and success of the Bhutan Health Journal can be attributed to strong collaboration between local and international contributors. Bhutanese research pioneers laid the foundation for the journal, with their efforts complemented by experts from Nepal, India, the USA, and the UK, as well as organizations like the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Research4Life. These partners provided invaluable mentorship, helping to elevate the journal’s global standing.
For example, the journal’s secretariat participated in the Digital Access to Research Workshop in 2019 and the DOAJ training for publishers in 2023, both organized by Research4Life. These capacity-building initiatives have equipped the journal’s team with essential skills and knowledge to improve editorial processes and publication quality.
As Dr. Giri explained,
“Our researchers are from Research4Life user institutions, and they regularly use Research4Life resources, which help them refer credible sources for their research. This access provides our researchers with free access to scientific literature, ultimately enhancing the quality of submissions and the publications themselves.”
Access to resources has not only improved the standard of submissions but also contributed to the overall growth of the journal.
Promoting OA and representing regional health issues
At the heart of the Bhutan Health Journal’s mission is the promotion of open access. The journal ensures that all its publications are freely available to anyone, anywhere. By not charging Article Processing Charges (APCs), the journal encourages submissions from low-income countries, making it a truly inclusive platform. This open-access model ensures that important research is shared as widely as possible, fostering collaboration and global knowledge sharing.
Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan
The journal is uniquely positioned to highlight health issues specific to Bhutan and the Himalayan region, many of which are underrepresented in global research. Dr Giri noted,
“The Journal has already published a few case reports on aconite toxicity, an entity that the rest of the world might not encounter but is prevalent in Bhutan due to the widespread use of the ingredient Tshendu in our culture.“
Research like this provides valuable insights into regional health issues and contributes to the broader understanding of global health knowledge.
Looking ahead
The journal’s inclusion in the Research4Life content portal is another significant step forward. Dr. Giri says,
“This inclusion will bridge the digital divide, ensuring that our research is accessible to institutions that might otherwise struggle to access academic resources.”
The increased visibility is expected to attract more submissions and enhance the journal’s citation impact.
Looking to the future, the Bhutan Health Journal is aiming for further expansion, with a goal to be indexed in databases such as PubMed. The journal is also working to enhance its Open Journal System, making it even more user-friendly for both authors and readers.
The Bhutan Health Journal has seen remarkable growth in just a few short years, from a platform primarily serving Bhutanese authors to one recognized globally for its quality and contributions to health research. With its recent achievements, the BHJ is well-positioned to continue making a meaningful impact locally and globally.
