The 40-bed Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Military Hospital in Dewathang has yet to provide CT scan services. According to the hospital, the equipment has arrived but they are waiting for the experts from abroad to install it. Without the CT scan service, people of Samdrup Jongkhar and nearby districts visit Monggar and Thimphu hospitals.
The hospital was inaugurated some five months ago and the hospital has yet to install the CT scan machine.
A CT scan, also known as a computed tomography scan, is a medical imaging procedure that combines multiple X-ray images taken from different angles to produce detailed cross-sectional images of the body.
It provides a more comprehensive view of the internal structures, allowing healthcare professionals to diagnose and evaluate various medical conditions.
A senior medical officer of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Military Hospital in Dewathang, Bhim Nath Subady says all the CT scan equipment is ready and they are waiting for experts from the World Health Organization and Philips company to install the equipment.
The senior medical officer added that two health staff are already trained on how to operate CT scan machines.
He further added that they are expecting to provide the service within a few months.
But for now, without the CT scan service in the hospital, people said they are facing inconveniences when they have to travel to Monggar, Gelephu and Thimphu hospitals to avail themselves of such services.
“Without CT scan service out here, we have to travel to Thimphu. If the service is provided, people of Samdrup Jongkhar, Jomotshangkha, Samdrupchhoeling, and Trashigang can avail themselves of the service. It will also reduce the expenditure,” said Kinley, a resident.
“We were happy that we will not have to visit Thimphu, Monggar, and Guwahati to get CT scan service. But for now, they have yet to provide the service. I would be grateful if the service can be provided at the earliest,” said Ugyen Penjor, another resident.
In a month, about nine patients are referred to regional hospitals from Samdrup Jongkhar district hospital and Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Military Hospital for CT scan services.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Tshering Zam