A pilot healthcare project for elderly people in Khaling, under Trashigang Dzongkhag, is gaining popularity. “Community Based Medical Care for Elderly” looks after older people who are 65 years and above. The Project is aimed at healthy aging.
Khaling Basic Health Unit is implementing the project at the moment. Kesang Lhadon is a Health Assistant with the Khaling BHU. She often visits an 84-year-old Ugyen Lhamo who has been bedridden for months. Ugyen Lhamo is paralyzed and is undergoing hypertension treatment.
Kesang Lhadon says, as a health assistant, it is important to see if the elderly people are faring well. “I enjoy my work,” she says.
There are other patients like an 81-year-old Sonam Wangzom, who has recently fractured her leg. Sonam Wangzom says she looks forward to Kesang Lhadon’s visit. “She is kind and helpful,” she says.
There are more than 180 elderly people under the Pilot project in Khaling Gewog alone. The project began in 2010 with technical cooperation from the Kyoto University in Japan.
If successful, the project will be integrated to the primary health care system and will be implemented throughout the country.
