Gasa Tshachu or hot spring is one place where elderly and sick people from across the country visit for its therapeutic values. But the risk of the visitors falling sick from soaking in the hot spring is higher. And with no health worker at the site and the nearest hospital some 15 kilometres away from the hot spring, visitors say it will be difficult if any mishap occurs.
For now, the medical staff from Gasa hospital visit the hot spring once every two weeks to carry out check-ups for non-communicable diseases. Gasa hospital is located about 15 kilometres away from the hot spring. With visitors increasing every year, the risk of visitors falling sick has increased. Although there is no official record of such mishaps with the hot spring management, there are some instances of people falling sick and sustaining injuries.
“A few years back, some elderly people fell down and sustained injuries on the head because of dizziness after soaking in the hot spring. And there are instances where people felt giddy and collapsed after soaking in the hot spring. Likewise, some people also fractured their legs earlier by slipping,” said Tshechu, a resident of Khatoed Gewog in Gasa.
“It’s not a big problem for the younger people. But I feel there is a need for one health worker as most of the visitors are elderly who have high blood pressure. And with many visitors, if some mishap occurs, they will have to be rushed to Gasa hospital,” said Namgay Dorji, a visitor.
“Visitors are already sick and some of them come from far-flung areas. They soak themselves in the water with the expectation to cure their problems. But the risk of them sustaining injuries and falling sick are also higher when getting out of the hot spring,” added Tawla, another visitor.
However, the dearth of a health worker is likely to be solved. The hot spring management has proposed one permanent health worker.
“Accordingly, the District Health Officer has submitted a proposal to the Health Ministry through the Dzongkhag Administration. One health worker is needed at the site as the elderly people get dizziness while soaking. And there are risks to those who have high blood pressure. So, one health staff is required here for the future conveniences,” said Tandin Dorji, the manager of the hot spring.
Today, the management accepts only a limited number of visitors by strictly adhering to the health and safety protocols due to the pandemic.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
