The construction of the country’s first national eye centre is underway in Thimphu. Once complete, the Gyalyum Kesang Choeden Wangchuck National Eye Centre is expected to provide better services to patients suffering from eye diseases.
The centre is expected to open in July next year.
At present, the eye department at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) sees more than 100 patients daily. The number is even more during summer.
“Having a new building would provide us with more space.The current space is congested to house all the patients waiting for consultation,” Dr Gosar Pemb, the Medical Superintendent, of the JDWNRH, said.
The eye centre will provide various specialized eye care services. It will also be a training and research centre for health professionals in the area of eye care.
The centre will have 18 beds in four aseptic wards, three operation theatres and an outpatient unit among others. It is being constructed at a cost of US$ 1.5 M.
