Monthly Archives: December, 0

As the lockdown continues and people retreat to taking the precautionary measure more seriously, it may not be possible for everyone to avail themselves of basic health services. With this situation in view as well as to ensure continued medical services, Gelegphu Central Regional Referral Hospital is taking this essential service to the people.

After almost four days, people in Gelegphu Thromde were able to get vegetables. There was no supply of vegetables until yesterday.

The increasing number of COVID-19 cases is taking a toll on the limited number of health workers in the country. To meet the immediate need, the Health Ministry is going to recruit 154 additional health professionals. The new recruits will be deployed to health facilities without doctors and to regional hospitals.  

The COVID-19 situation is taking a toll on all sections of society. In Punakha, its trickling effect left the supply of power tillers disrupted during a season when it is most required. Consumers leave disappointed after visiting the only dealer of the machine in Lobesa town.

With many people in the rural pockets of the country depending on direct cash transactions, this national lockdown has people stripped of cash. People who do not use mobile or Internet banking cannot pay for essential deliveries despite having money in their bank accounts.

Following the Health Ministry's appeal to people with travel history to Phuentshogling on or after August 1 to register through toll-free number 1023, the team has received 485 calls to register for COVID-19 test as of this afternoon.

The DeSuung office reprimanded three De-Suups for punishing two men in Olakha, Thimphu for violating lockdown protocols, after a video of the incident went viral on social media yesterday.

Bhutan recorded its first COVID-19 positive child case in a four-year-old girl yesterday in Phuentshogling. The girl is one of the primary contacts of the 25-year-old man who tested positive for the disease in Phuentshogling earlier this week. Along with the girl, a 34-year-old woman also tested positive for COVID-19.

While the government reassures that there is no shortage of essential goods, the continuous calls in the stock centre impede the operation of delivering goods at full capacity. There were incidences of hues and cries from the people in the capital when the need was not met on time.  

People not using the right toll-free numbers to avail themselves of the services are clogging the phone lines. Same is the case with the hotline for emergency ambulance services. Health Help Centre in Thimphu has been receiving calls asking for essentials, enquiries from stranded people and also for non-emergency medical advice.