The Damphu Hospital in Tsirang serves as a cluster hospital for the people of Tsirang and Dagana districts since last year. But today, the hospital does not have a paediatrician. The Prime Minister while inaugurating the surgery services at the hospital in July of last year said the government would deploy a paediatrician beginning this year. Without a paediatrician, parents said they have to spend a lot to travel to other hospitals.
On an average, the 40-bedded hospital receives more than 13 patients seeking paediatric services every day.
This is according to the records maintained by the hospital.
According to some of the parents, they have to travel to hospitals in Gelephu, Wangdue Phodrang, and Thimphu to avail themselves of paediatric services.
“My child is born prematurely. So, I have to visit the hospital often. Without a paediatrician here, travelling to Thimphu is inconvenient for us. We would be grateful if the government could deploy one in Damphu Hospital,” said Devika Gurung, a parent.
“Taking our children to Thimphu and Gelephu hospitals is inconvenient. As a result, parents might keep their sick children at home,” said Purni Maya Tamang, another parent.
Meanwhile, the prime minister during the Meet the Press session last month said the government could not send a paediatrician as promised after the specialist had some personal matter.
“We have deployed a limited number of paediatricians in various hospitals along with equipment. This is the reason why the government could not send one to Damphu Hospital as of today. But paediatric services are being provided at Gelephu Hospital since there are two paediatricians there. Looking at the workload there, I told them whether it is better to have two paediatricians in Gelephu and none in Tsirang or one each in Tsirang and Gelephu. But there is also an issue,” said Dr Lotay Tshering, Prime Minister.
However, the prime minister said the government will review and see the possibility of sending a paediatrician to the Damphu Hospital after six months.
Today, the cluster hospital has a surgeon and a gynaecologist.
A “cluster hospital” is an initiative of the government to identify a central hospital, which will be equipped with specialists and that will cater to people of two or more districts.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
