Lack of certain medical specialists in Gelephu Central Regional Hospital has left many patients worried. They said in absence of medical specialists like orthopedic surgeon, ophthalmologist and surgical specialist, they are concerned about the accuracy of disease diagnosed from the hospital.
Our reporter, Pema Samdrup, said that more than 500 patients visit the hospital almost every day. Most of these patients are referred from far-flung places. But with no access to proper medical specialists after so much of travelling, some of them are left frustrated.
“Some patients come from remote places. After reaching here, we could see only Health Assistants and ACO’s in the doctors’ chambers,” said BB Bhujal, a patient.
“Gelephu hospital functions as a referral hospital,” says Dorji Tshewang, “and we have never seen a substitution when specialists are on leave or trainings. We are suffering and need interim arrangement.”
Another patient from Umling, Lungten Dorji, said sometimes they doubt whether HAs’ and ACOs’ could diagnose the disease properly.
Meanwhile, with long queue of patients almost every day in the hospital, the medical staff on duty are over-burdened with work. And the patients, on the other hand, are compelled to wait for long hours with delayed services.
“I have waited about one and half hours to get examined just from a clinical staff,” said Sangay.
According to the hospital management, the medical and surgical specialists are on leave. One of the ophthalmologists is on a year-long study leave, while, one of the Orthopedic Surgeons died, and there had been no replacement so far.
Meanwhile, the hospital has made arrangements for surgical surgeon and ophthalmologist from the National Referral Hospital in Thimphu, on temporary basis.
With the summer approaching, the number of patients is expected to increase.
