The pap smear service at the Trashigang district hospital is temporarily discontinued due to the absence of cytology technician. A cyto technician works on cell samples to examine abnormalities that could lead to illness or cancer. Because of this situation, women in the region are facing difficulties since they have to either travel to Monggar or wait for the health screening camps.
It has been about five months since the health service centres in Trashigang stopped providing pap smear tests. In the mid of last year, the two cyto technicians were transferred to Monggar Regional Referral Hospital as part of the Health Flagship Programme.
Without the technicians in the district, women especially those undergoing treatment are worried. On an average, about 40 women visit Trashigang Hospital in a month for pap smear tests alone.
“We went for our routine checkup but without technicians in the hospital, they didn’t check us. Now it has been seven to eight months without a pap smear test. We are worried that the disease might become worse,” said Sangay Peldon, a resident.
“Pap smear is important. But since it is temporarily discontinued, women living in rural areas such as Thrimshing and Kangpar cannot afford to visit Monggar Regional Referral Hospital. Since the places are located far away, it will be inconvenient for them to visit the regional referral hospital,” said Sangay Lhamo, another resident.
The Pap smear is provided to women aged between 25-65 years and to sexually active women.
Meanwhile, according to the district health officer, all the cytology technicians across the country are transferred to regional referral hospitals as per the health ministry’s directives.
“We used to provide a conventional method of pap smear checkup but now we are planning to start Health Flagship Programme for three preventable cancers. So, we are going to start liquid base cytology, unlike the conventional method. It is not only in Trashigang but all the cytology technicians are transferred to regional referral hospitals,” said Gang Dorji, the Senior Dzongkhag Health Officer.
He said that the Health Flagship Programme will start early detection and awareness program of three preventable cancers. It will commence by the beginning of this year.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Tshering Zam
