Residents of Tendu Gewog in Samtse, particularly women, are facing challenges accessing healthcare services due to the absence of a female health assistant at the Primary Healthcare Centre. It has been over three months since the female health assistant was transferred. As a result, some women are hesitant to seek medical attention, even during emergencies.
Without a female health assistant, not all women seek medical care. According to some women, villagers and elderly people feel uncomfortable and are avoiding visits to the healthcare centre.
“It has been over three months without a female health worker here. For us, we can share all the details with a male health assistant but elderly people feel uncomfortable and choose not to visit the centre. For example, they are not able to talk openly about diseases like UTI,” said Chimi Lham, a resident.
“For literate people like us, we don’t feel any difference in sharing our health conditions with a male health assistant. But for many other women, they are facing a lot of challenges talking about pap smears and menstrual issues,” said Tshering Yangchen, another resident.
The Tendu Gewog Administration has already informed the district administration and the health ministry about the need for a female health worker.
“Since the transfer of our former female health assistant, we have not yet received anyone as her replacement. We have informed the health ministry and the district health sector about the matter. We are aware of the shortage of health workers in the country but the problem we are facing is quite genuine and we would be grateful if the issue is addressed soon,” said Nima Dukpa, Tendu Gup.
Despite their efforts, there has been no concrete response from the concerned authorities.
According to the District Health Officials, the issue is not unique to Tendu Gewog alone. Like the primary healthcare centre in Tendu, the health facilities in Namgyalchhoeling Gewog and Sengdhyen are also grappling with the same issue. However, the officials said they have informed the health ministry about the issue.
The primary healthcare facility in Tendu Gewog not only serves its five chiwogs but also two chiwogs from the neighbouring Norgaygang Gewog. Tendu Gewog is home to a population exceeding 6,200 residents.
Passang Dorji, Samtse
