The 20-bed Riserboo Hospital at Wamrong in Trashigang, has been facing a severe nurse shortage for nearly five months. Only five staff nurses are managing the ward, far below the health ministry’s standard of 15 to 19 nurses for such a facility.
The shortage began after several staff left for further studies, and others were transferred.
The situation worsens when nurses have to attend training or take emergency leave.
The hospital receives around 50 patients every month, with numbers rising during the summer season.
Tshering Dorji, Staff Nurse In charge, Riserboo Hospital said “We have to escort patients to Monggar, Trashigang, and Samdrup Jongkhar. Sometimes, both ambulances are in use, and that’s when things become critical. With only three staff nurses, we struggle to cover all the shifts. One nurse may work the morning shift and then again at night. By then, we are completely exhausted and that’s where the real problem begins.”
Local leaders and residents are increasingly concerned about the declining number of health workers at the hospital.
Sangay Gyeltshen, Lumang Gup said “Recently, there was an accident at Khelam. Due to the staff shortage here, health workers from Gomdar had to attend to the case. Since Riserboo Hospital is located along the Trashigang–Samdrup Jongkhar Highway, I believe its presence is crucial.”
Wangchuk, Mochhu-Wakhar Tshogpa said “Health staff get transferred, which leads to a shortage here even as the number of patients continues to rise. Some people have had to wait in line for nearly a whole day.”
Jigme, Riserboo-Tsangpo Tshogpa said “Due to shortage of health staff, they face difficulty in managing cases. People face inconveniences. Earlier, there used to be around 20 nurses. I would like to request for additional nurses as it would benefit us.”
Trashigang’s chief medical officer is aware of the issue but says there is a nationwide shortage of nurses, which has prevented the hospital from receiving additional staff.
However, they expect to have around 10 to 15 new nurses by mid of this year, as freshly graduated nurses will be joining the workforce by July.
The chief medical officer added that Riserboo Hospital needs at least ten nurses.
Riserboo Hospital provides healthcare services to Wamrong and Thrimshing dungkhags in Trashigang and some parts of Pema Gatshel.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Tshering Zam
