The indigenous hospital in Thimphu is seeing an increasing number of patients every year. Last year alone, the hospital saw over 67,000 patients. To meet the demand of its patients, the hospital has also expanded its services over the years. Every day over 300 patients visit the hospital. The figure drops slightly during the winter.
“As compared to the past, there is a huge difference in the number of patients visiting the hospital. I think this is due to the increase in population. Earlier we used to see about 100 patients a day but now we receive a minimum of 300 in a day,” said Dungtsho Ugyen Tenzin, Officiating Superintendent of the hospital.
To cater to the increasing demand, the hospital has also increased its working hours from 3 pm to 6 pm on weekdays. On Saturday, the hospital remains open till 3 pm. Despite this, Dungtsho Ugyen said it becomes very difficult to manage the large number of patients at times, as there are only a limited number of doctors.
The hospital has also opened 39 medicine units in different parts of the country in order to provide its services to all the people across the country.
