Local leaders in Trashigang requested for more specialists at the dzongkhag hospital during the recent dzongkhag tshogdu.

Given the large number of patients visiting the hospital today, Udzorong gup, Dorji Tshering, said that Trashigang is one of the largest dzongkhags in the country and the number of patients requiring special treatments at the hospital is increasing every year.  “With only one specialist at the hospital today, most patients end up going to Mongar and Thimphu for the service.”

Gup Dorji Tshering said that at times the regional referral hospital in Mongar also fails to provide specialists, which increases the burden on the already economically disadvantaged people of the east.

Deputy Chief Dzongkhag Health Officer, Tshewang Dorji, said that the dzongkhag today has 11 general doctors, three dentists, a clinical officer and a gynaecologist.

Tshewang Dorji said that if the authorities approve and based on the cases the hospital receive, the hospital requires an orthopaedist and a paediatrician.

On an average, the hospital and health centres in the dzongkhag receive about 2,500 orthopaedic cases and some 13,000 paediatric cases a year.

“If we are to get any specialists, we would require these two. However, as per the doctor-patient ratio of 1:5,000, the dzongkhag is in a comfortable position for now,” Tshewang Dorji said.

He said that during emergencies, patients requiring the assistance of specialists are referred with the help of the 11 ambulances available in the dzongkhag.

There are currently 85 specialists in the health sector.

At the tshogdu, the Lumang gup, Wangdi, requested for an ultrasound machine for Reserbu hospital. He said that the number of patients requiring ultrasound service has been increasing over the years.

“People from places like Khaling, Thrimshing, Kangpara and Nanong in Pemagatshel come to the hospital to avail the services,” said Wangdi. “Most of these patients require ultrasound, which is still not available at the hospital.”

He said that in a month, at least 40 patients come to the hospital for ultrasound. “The need for the machine has become critical because often times, people have lost lives because a disease goes undiagnosed,” he said. “This is the third dzongkhag tshogdu where we have requested for the machine.”

Tshewang Dorji said that the ministry would be releasing the ultrasound machine by December this year.

Younten Tshedup | Trashigang