The National Assembly approved the recommendation to relieve healthcare professionals from administrative activities yesterday. Bongo-Chapcha MP, Pempa, who is also a member of the Good Governance Committee, recommended this during the introduction of a motion on Healthcare Service Improvement. He highlighted that doctors are experiencing burnout from administrative duties, which is affecting patient care. Of the 39 members present at the session, 33 voted in favour of the recommendations.
During the session, the Good Governance Committee expressed concern about doctors being burdened with administrative work such as meetings, monitoring, and tours among others.
The committee recommended that these administrative works be given to other officials such as District Health Officers or DHOs since they are not the responsibility of healthcare professionals.
“We should not undermine DHOs. In the 70s and 80s, they were health assistants and part of the Bureau of Health Workforce. With their experience, they are capable of handling the work,” said Naiten Wangchuk, MP, Monggar Constituency.
“They go abroad to study medicine and become doctors, not administrators. The shortage of human resources is in healthcare, not administration. Isn’t it too soon to appoint doctors as Chief Medical Officers with administrative duties?” questioned Damche Tenzin, MP, Thrimshing-Kangpara Constituency.
According to the latest Service Delivery Indicators Health Survey, 19 per cent of healthcare providers were dissatisfied with the balance between clinical and administrative work, with over 30 per cent of doctors dissatisfied.
“Currently, in accordance with the rules and regulations, doctors are required to spend 30 per cent of their time on clinical work and 70 per cent on administrative work. It is not a problem for hospitals where they have enough doctors but it is overwhelming for those without enough doctors,” said Namgay Dorji, MP, Khamdhang-Ramjar Constituency.
Other members added that a doctor’s role is irreplaceable, unlike administrative work.
In response, the health minister said the doctors are shouldering the administrative duties because they best understand health care services.
“According to international research, doctors provide better healthcare when they also handle administrative duties because they understand the service better. Of the 450 health professionals currently, only 22 perform administrative tasks,” said Tandin Wangchuk, Health Minister.
The committee’s other recommendations include improving medical supply services, enhancing human resource development, and allocating separate funds for outreach clinics and emergency purposes.
Other members also recommended ensuring all hospitals have access to technical services such as CT scans, improving emergency accommodations, and integrating the National Medical Service back into the Health Ministry.
The recommendations will be reviewed and forwarded to the health ministry for implementation.
Tashi Chezom & Singye Dema
Edited by Sonam Pem
