Following the Health Ministry’s appeal to people with travel history to Phuentshogling on or after August 1 to register through toll-free number 1023, the team has received 485 calls to register for COVID-19 test as of this afternoon.
The Prime Minister announced people to get tested during a press briefing last evening. The testing will be initiated for all those registered.
People registering for the test were maximum from Thimphu. Few from other districts such as Paro, Trashigang and Nganglam have also registered. For now, the details of the people are taken, it will be compiled and submitted to the health ministry. The ministry will then send the contact details of the person to respective Dzongkhags for testing. Only if the case is severe, it is taken immediately for testing.
The toll-free 1023 started since 13th August as COVID-19 National grievance redressal help desk to take stock of issues and provide immediate solutions by coordinating and facilitating with other service providers across the country. However, with an increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases in Phuentshogling and the place declared as the red zone, the line was also put to use for people to register for COVID-19 test. The task is handled by the Gross National Happiness Commission team.
The help desk previously had four people to attend to calls. However, with extra responsibility, it has been increased to eight today. For those who are not able to connect to the toll-free number to register themselves, the health ministry has also provided an alternate option to use the online form to fill a person’s details.
For now, the majority of complaints are related to essential services like delayed food or vegetable supplies and LPG.
Other complaints comprise of delayed health services and from stranded people. Other requests for tobacco services, construction related assistance and financial assistance from stranded and laid off people also coming in. The team that attended the calls today carries out follow up in the next day while another set of a team attend to the calls to ensure all the complaints received are resolved on time.
Between 13th till 16th of August, the team attended 1,069 calls including the request for COVID test registration.
Samten Dolkar
