The death of a five-year-old girl at Tashichhoeling Hospital in Samtse has once again highlighted concerns on the country’s persistent shortage of doctors. Her family believes she could have been survived, if medical help had arrived sooner. Officials say a detailed investigation report is still awaited.
The girl was brought to Tashichhoeling Hospital in the early hours of October 20. According to her family, she had fallen ill the previous night. When her condition worsened the next morning, showing symptoms such as fever and vomiting, she was rushed to the hospital. But with no doctor on duty, they say the girl remained unattended for about 45 minutes.
Nado, a family member said, “They waited for a doctor from Phuentshogling, who was in Samtse at the time. It took around 45 minutes. I questioned them why they waited instead of calling the doctor on leave and initiating the referral process. In that period of waiting, we lost our child.”
According to the health minister, Tashichhoeling hospital was staffed with the requirements of a 10-bed hospital, including three doctors to account for the workload and population size.
However, in a written response, the health ministry stated that one doctor had left for long-term training in July, while another resigned effective October. This left only one doctor at the hospital, who was on medical leave at the time after sustaining a foot fracture.
Tandin Wangchuk, the health minister said, “The initial report has highlighted that the child already came in a critical condition. Doctor Jigme Y Chophel was there and he put the child under incubation. Because of the condition, they decided to use emergency airlifting and send the child for referral. However, they couldn’t save the child. But this case is still under investigation. Once the report comes out, we will share it.”
The family, however, disagree. They believe timely intervention such as airlifting within those 45 minutes could have saved her life.
The Interim Chief Medical Officer of the Tashichhoeling hospital said clinical findings indicated pneumonia.
But the family suspects food poisoning. They also claimed the hospital delayed issuing the death certificate, but the ICMO said it was withheld pending investigation and that the parents were informed of the situation, with the mother given an hour’s counselling.
The parents told BBS that while they could not save their child, they hope no one else loses their life to such a mishap.
The health minister says Tashichhoeling Hospital has now been prioritised in the upcoming recruitment to meet the human resource standard required for a 20-bed hospital.
Kinley Dem/Samten Dolkar
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
