GDG: Five gewogs of Sipsu dungkhag in Samtse contributed a total of Nu 1.5M (million) from their gewog development grant (GDG) for the construction of an outpatient department in the dungkhag.

The building that will have seven rooms is expected to ease the shortage of patient beds at the hospital in Sipsu, which has a history of recording a huge inflow of patients in summer.

The hospital has accommodated 10 beds in the corridors of its ground and top floors.

In 2014, the hospital had to admit 1,219 patients.  The hospital received a total of 148 patients in July, and 57 patients in December, last year.

Sipsu hospital had only 10 beds.  With a population of more than 15,000 in the five gewogs of Bara, Tendu, Namgaycholing, Biru, and Tashicholing, the hospital faces shortage of space for patients.

Dr Yeshey Dorji, a medical officer with the hospital, said, “People come from far away places, and they reach here late most of the times. We can’t let them go until proper check-up is done and medication recommended.”

The initiative of constructing an outpatient department was taken by the dungkhag and the five gewogs.  The need for outpatient department was also raised at the dzongkhag yargay tshogdu last year.

The construction of the outpatient department began from mid-January this year, and is expected to complete in the next two months.

Built in the ‘60s, Sipsu hospital has more than 40 staff, including two medical officers.

By Rajesh Rai, Sipsu

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