With increasing connectivity and population, the need for an ambulance facility at the Nanong Primary Health Centre in Pema Gatshel has become more pressing. Although the centre once had an ambulance, it was lost in an accident a few years ago.
Nanong is one of the most populous gewogs in Pema Gatshel. As a result, residents are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new ambulance at the Nanong Primary Health Centre. The centre currently serves five chiwogs, and since the loss of their ambulance in an accident during a referral case in 2020, residents have faced many hardships.
Pema Gyeltshen, a resident said, “Nowadays, many people use different kinds of machines, and as a result, we often get cuts and injuries. If there’s no vehicle in the village, we have to call and hire one from another village. In such situations, we suffer because we don’t have an ambulance.”
Tashi Tobgay, Nanong-Pangthang Tshogpa said, “If someone is referred to Pema Gatshel Hospital, we have to hire a vehicle, which costs around Nu 3,000 to 3,500. It’s very difficult for the people, and we have been requesting an ambulance again and again.”
Dorji Wangchuk, another resident said, “We lost our ambulance in an accident and have suffered a lot since then. We were promised a replacement, but we haven’t received one to this day. Despite everything, we are still hopeful that we will get one soon.”
According to an official from the district hospital, they have recently submitted a detailed survey report to the National Medical Services Office. They are hopeful that a replacement will be provided.
The absence of an ambulance has been deeply felt by everyone in the gewog. For almost five years now, they have managed without this essential service. Despite the prolonged wait, the people of Nanong continue to hope for its timely replacement.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Kipchu
