Human resource shortage is one of the major challenges faced by the Health Ministry in providing quality health care services. This is according to the Report on Sustainable Development Goal-Good Health and Well-Being presented at the National Assembly yesterday.
According to the report, the Social and Cultural Committee observed that shortage of specialists, doctors and other specialised health care staff in certain fields still remains a persistent issue for the health sector.
For that matter, the committee submitted nine recommendations to the National Assembly. The recommendations include increase in ex-country seat for professional courses to address shortages of specialists, doctors and other specialized health care providers, starting MBBS program at Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences, exploring the possibility of de-linking Clinical Services from Civil Service or giving incentives to the workers.
The recommendations also include encouraging private health clinics, reviewing the age limit of specialists and building a city hospital or district hospital to decongest JDWNRH.
The committee also observed that Non-communicable Diseases (NCD) are emerging challenges with increasing health care costs as about sixty per cent of deaths in the country are due to NCDs. To address NCD risk factors like harmful use of alcohol, tobacco, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet, the committee said the health ministry will continue to pursue health promotion and disease prevention programs in the 12th Five Year Plan.
