The wait is almost over for the residents of Tashichhoeling Dungkhag in Samtse as the new 20-bed hospital nears completion. 96 per cent of the work is complete. Worth some Nu 500 M, the facility is set to bring improved healthcare services and renewed hope to the community when it opens in April next year.
The new hospital is located just below the old 10-bed Tashichhoeling Hospital along the Sibsoo-Tendruk highway. The construction was delayed, pushing its completion timeline a few months past the original October deadline. Despite these setbacks, the facility is now nearly complete and poised to serve the community.
Residents of Tashichhoeling Dungkhag and surrounding gewogs are optimistic. The new facility promises to address the longstanding issues of the old hospital, such as limited services, space constraints, and water shortages.
Leki Chezom, a resident said “We are thrilled about the upcoming new hospital. With this facility, we won’t have to travel to other districts for better healthcare. It will be more accessible for residents of Tendruk as well, offering much-needed services”
Dawa Zam, another resident said “We are hopeful for improved healthcare with the new hospital. As it nears completion, we will finally have a larger, more advanced facility, similar to those in other districts. We won’t need to travel far for medical care anymore, and we trust the new hospital will serve us well.”
The Construction Development Corporation overseeing the project has acknowledged the delays but assured that the work is progressing well. They shared that the challenges came from the need to construct an open terrace and make adjustments related to roof slabs.
Additionally, in most of the buildings, a third of the total area had to be expanded, causing further delays in completion.
The district administration has also expressed confidence in meeting the revised project deadline. The remaining tasks include specialised works and site development, with all civil works expected to conclude soon.
For now, both the corporation and the district administration is confident the hospital will be completed by the revised April deadline, significantly enhancing healthcare services in the region.
Once complete, the hospital will benefit the five gewogs of Tashichhoeling and the nearby gewogs of Yoeseltse and Sangngagchogling as well.
Passang Dorji, Samtse
