People in Dagana and Tsirang have long struggled to maintain access to quality health care services without a surgeon. But not anymore. With the deployment of a general surgeon, the Damphu Hospital in Tsirang started providing surgical services beginning last month. And this has helped the people in both the districts.
Inaugurating the surgical service formally, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering joined the operation theatre’s team at Damphu hospital yesterday.
The team provided the service to seven patients suffering from gallstones. So far, the hospital has conducted around 50 surgeries.
“Without a surgeon, we had a problem availing surgery services earlier. It used to cost us huge expenses and was time-consuming when we were referred to Thimphu and Gelephu. There was also the risk of a patient dying along the way. The surgery service will benefit us immensely,” said Til Bdr. Limbu, a resident of Gosarling Gewog.
“Recently, I visited the National Referral hospital to seek an appointment for my father’s surgery. I was asked to visit only after six months. But the introduction of the surgery service in Damphu hospital has helped carry my father’s surgery immediately without delaying it for six months,” said Bim Bdr. Monger, a resident of Dunglagang Gewog.
“For common people like myself, it is very inconvenient to avail surgery services from other hospitals. Firstly, we cannot meet the concerned surgeons easily in Thimphu. And secondly, it costs us a lot when we have to wait for long in the capital due to prolonged appointments,” said Dema Drukpa, a Damphu resident.
Damphu Hospital will cater the service to both districts by adopting the cluster approach strategy. Considering the limited number of doctors and specialists in the country, the strategy helps people get health and medical services without having to visit the National Referral Hospital.
Similar specialised clustered medical services are being established in strategic locations to solve healthcare service disparities in the country.
Meanwhile, a gynaecologist and a paediatrician are scheduled to join the Damphu Hospital beginning next year.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Sonam Pem
