Lack of experts and profound knowledge to provide therapy and early intervention services to children with Down syndrome are some of the key challenges faced by the Ability Bhutan Society (ABS).
ABS officials told BBS News that due to these challenges, they are not able to provide effective services for all kinds of disabilities.
“Our colleagues who are providing intervention services are equipped through informal training. They take online courses. But, we invite experts visiting our country to ABS and conduct family empowerment programme,” said the Executive Director of ABS, Ugyen Wangchuk.
However, having said that, the civil society organisation is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that children with Down syndrome and other disabilities are given the needed services. Down syndrome is a genetic disorder characterised by mental and developmental impairments.
Jigme Dorj, 8, is a child with Down syndrome. He is currently being treated at the Ability Bhutan Society. He lives with his maternal grandmother, Thinley Wangmo who said: “I wish he could at least be able to say some words like food and water. He is not able to walk also but I hope the intervention here will improve his condition.”
Other parents also said they could notice improvements in their children’s personality after receiving therapy services from ABS. “My daughter is three year old and before taking her to ABS, she wasn’t able to go to toilet independently. But now, ABS has helped her to go to toilet, and carry meals by herself. She can also write,” said Tshering Choki.
Meanwhile, pediatricians at the National Referral Hospital in Thimphu said though the cause of Down syndrome is unknown, it is fairly common in Bhutan. Last year, five newborns with Down syndrome were born at the three referral hospitals in the country.
Pediatricians, however, clarifies that when children is suffering from this genetic disorder, it doesn’t mean they have all structural defects. “From his physical features, we know that he could be having Down syndrome. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that a child diagnosed with Down syndrome has defect in every system of body,” said Dr. Kuenley Pedon, Pediatrician at the Thimphu hospital.
She points out that children with Down syndrome will have heart defect and intestinal problems. It is also a condition in which the child will have slower physical growth, characteristic facial features, and mild to moderate intellectual disability.
The women’s risk of conceiving baby with Down syndrome increases after 35 years of age. “The risk of women in 20s conceiving a baby with Down syndrome is less but we cannot rule out that women in this age group will not at all conceive babies with genetic disorder,” continued Dr. Kuenley Pedon.
