Residents of Lhamoi Dzingkha, Karmaling and Nichula Gewogs in Dagana, are unable to access X-ray and blood testing services at Lhamoi Dzingkha hospital after the machines became dysfunctional. The local leaders of the gewogs raised the issue during the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu, requesting to resume the services at the earliest.
The 10-bed Lhamoi Dzingkha hospital has two X-ray machines; one fixed and the other portable.
But both the machines have remained idle after breaking down in 2021 while the portable one also stopped working towards the end of 2023.
Similarly, the hospital’s biochemistry analyser, a machine used for blood testing also became dysfunctional from last year.
Although it was temporarily repaired for emergency use, it broke down again after two weeks.
Since then, the hospital has been referring patients mostly to Phuentshogling, Gelephu and Thimphu depending on urgency and road conditions. Last year alone, 69 patients were referred, and this year, 52 patients have been referred so far.
These figures exclude patients referred directly from the Outpatient Department.
During the recent Dagana Dzongkhag Tshogdu, the local leaders from the three gewogs requested the replacement of X-ray machines as the previous ones became non-functional due to power fluctuations.
Pema Norbu Sherpa, Karmaling Gup said, “People in the Dungkhag have access to paid X-ray and blood testing services in neighbouring India towns. However,during monsoon we cannot cross the Kalikhola river. So far, we have not faced any causality but we are deeply concerned about safety of our people. Therefore, we would be grateful if we have functionalX-ray and blood testing machinesat the hospital.”
Lhamoi Dzingkha Gup Surja Bdr. Limboo said, “We would be grateful if the Dagana district administration could allocate a budget to repair the machines. We are hopeful that the machines can be made functional at the earliest.”
Nichula Gup Nima Wangchuk Sherpa said, “We cannot use the machines unless re-electrification works are carried out. It is urgent and we feel health services must be given top priority.”
Some months ago, multiple inspections by the Electricity Regulatory Authority, the Bhutan Power Corporation, and relevant agencies have found out several power related issues, including current and voltage imbalance due to old and deteriorated wirings.
The inspections also revealed that earthing voltage levels have exceeded the acceptable range.
Similarly, a team from the National Medical Services also identified the hospital’s unreliable power supply as the main cause of repeated breakdowns in voltage sensitive equipment.
Based on the findings, the Electricity Regulatory Authority recommended re-electrifications, proper load balancing, and installation of a dedicated transformer for the X-ray and blood testing machines.
During the Dzongkhag Tshogdu, a representative from BPC said, a dedicated transformer will be managed for the X-ray and blood testing machines.
Chimi Nidup, an officiating manager of Dagapela Division in BPC, Dagana said, “I feel that there was a miscommunication between relevant agencies while procuring the machines. If the Bhutan Power Corporation had been consulted, the BPC could have assessed the voltage system in the area. In developed countries voltage and electricity lines are very stable and has less variation. But in our case, the variation is more.”
Meanwhile, when the relevant agencies are working together to resolve the issue, patients will have to continue travelling to other districts for X-ray and blood testing related services.
Pema Tshewang, Dagana
Edited by Tshering Zam
