Cancer patients in the country can now undergo surgeries within two weeks of diagnosis. This is thanks to the Extended Clinical Services introduced by the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in Thimphu. Since the introduction of the service in December last year, surgeons and health workers have performed surgeries on cancer patients during weekends and government holidays. The service aims to reduce patient waiting time and improve service delivery.
In the past, a cancer patient had to wait about two months after diagnosis to undergo surgery.
Now, health workers, according to their free time, work on holidays and weekends for this service. Each surgery involves a team of eight health workers, including the surgeon.
“With this service, patients will receive surgery within 15 days of diagnosis. It is good for the patients and I am positive that this will benefit both their mental and physical health. We have received positive feedback about this service,” said Dr Sonam Tshering, Medical Superintendent of the JDWNRH.
In the last five months, around 17 patients have benefitted from the service. Health workers receive a daily subsistence allowance for extended clinical service.
Doctors said although the service has reduced waiting time for the patients, it has resulted in an overload at the surgical ward causing bed shortages.
Meanwhile, for complicated cancer cases, patients still need to be sent abroad for treatment. According to the medical superintendent, the hospital refers around eight to ten cancer patients overseas for treatment each week.
For now, the hospital does not have plans to offer such services for other diseases requiring surgery at the hospital.
Namgay Dema
Edited by Sonam Pem
