In Pema Gatshel, community sub-posts in remote chiwogs seem to be bearing the brunt of the ongoing health staff shortages in the country. Sub-posts in two chiwogs in the district have remained closed for months due to a shortage of health assistants. Sub-posts in the villages are usually manned by a lone health assistant providing basic health services.
The issue is pressing in Khangma Chiwog, which has the highest population and the most households in Yurung Gewog.
The sub-post benefits over 500 people in the community, delivering basic health services to the local community.
But not anymore, as the Health Assistant was transferred to the Yurung Primary Health Centre. The sub-post has remained closed for over three months.
Residents of Khangma now have to endure long journeys to access health services.’
“As we don’t have a health staff here, we have to travel to Pema Gatshel Hospital or Yurung Primary Health Centre, for which we have to hire a vehicle. It is expensive. Travelling to Pema Gatshel costs us Nu 3,500,” said Sangay Chezom, a resident of Khangma.
“We have been borrowing medicines from people who bring them from Pema Gatshel or Yurung Primary Health Centre. But sometimes, even they face shortages, and as a result, most of the time, we don’t get medicines. Visiting health centres is challenging due to the high cost of hiring a vehicle. It’s very hard for us,” said Dubjur, another resident.
“It is very difficult for those of us who don’t have a steady source of income. We have to borrow from others, but even that is challenging as they do not lend money to low-income families like us. By the time we manage to visit the hospital, it is late, and we end up getting admitted. It’s very difficult for us,” said Karma Zangmo, also a resident.
According to the Chief Medical Officer of Pema Gatshel District Hospital, the issue has been raised with the National Medical Services Office. Consequently, a replacement for a Health Assistant has been listed for Pema Gatshel Hospital to be deployed to Khangma sub-post. However, the official who was offered the position declined.
The district hospital has also temporarily assigned a Health Assistant for six months, which has now been discontinued. Currently, Yurung Primary Health Centre provides outreach services for the chiwog twice a month.
The community remains hopeful of receiving a health assistant to restore regular health services at the sub-post.
“We are not asking for a doctor, but we desperately need a replacement for the Health Assistant. We have been requesting the Gup and Tshogpa frequently, but they are not sure of when we will get the replacement,” said Karma Zangmo, a resident.
“The services provided by staff from Yurung are only temporary, and this doesn’t solve our problem. We need a permanent staff here,” said Dubjur, another resident.
Nyaskhar sub-post in Chimung Gewog has also been without a Health Assistant for around three months. Very soon, Borangmo sub-post will likely face the same issue as the current Health Assistant has cleared the civil service exam, which means he will be offered a better-paying job to serve elsewhere.
Until the health staff shortage is resolved, remote communities like Khangma and Nyaskhar will have to rely on the nearest gewog’s Primary Health Centres for basic health services.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Phub Gyem
