Accessing healthcare facilities, especially in times of emergencies such as during accidents and deliveries, is a challenge for the residents of Bardo and Shingkhar Gewogs in Zhemgang. The nearest healthcare centre that provides treatment beyond the Primary Health Centre is located about 60 kilometres from the two gewogs. The road conditions are bad, which means it is difficult to get a vehicle or reach the healthcare centre on time. During the recent Zhemgang Dzongkhag Tshogdu, the local leaders of the two gewogs raised the need for an ambulance each in Bardo and Shingkhar.
The local leaders of Bardo and Shingkhar said having an ambulance each in the respective gewogs would improve response time during emergencies and save lives.
“Bardo and Shingkhar are the most remote communities and on top of that, the roads are not well paved and it often gives us problems to reach patients to nearby hospitals. The need for an ambulance has become very urgent,” said Tashi Tobgay, Shingkhar Mangmi.
“We face challenges quite often when taking patients to the nearest hospitals in Buli during an emergency, especially in critical cases where immediate medical attention is crucial. Also, due to remote locations and the bad road conditions, we have a big problem of transporting patients to referral hospitals,” said Tshering Lhendup, Shingkhar Gup.
The health ministry did provide a fully equipped ambulance for Bardo Gewog in 2020 which was given by the Turkish Government. But the ministry took it back during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 and the ambulance was never returned to the gewog thereafter.
“After the ministry took back the new ambulance, we were given a replacement. Although old, it did benefit us, but it breaks down frequently. The ambulance has to travel about 133 km to Zhemgang from Bardo. And the road condition is bad. So, there are safety concerns if we are not provided with a well-functioning ambulance,” said Tshering Tenzin, Bardo Mangmi.
Responding to the local leaders’ concerns, the District Health officer said a letter has already been submitted to the health ministry for immediate replacement of the old ambulance.
“We have written to the ministry for an immediate replacement of the old ambulance for Khomshar in Bardo and in line with that, we will follow up for Shingkhar as well and try getting ambulances very soon,” said Gopal Hingmang, Dy, chief DHO.
Other DT members also supported the local leaders of Bardo and Shingkhar said providing ambulances in these two gewogs will improve healthcare accessibility and emergency response in these areas.
Zhemgang currently has seven ambulances in total.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
Edited by Phub Gyem
