The Health Ministry has launched a pilot programme using Mobile Medical Units in Wangdue Phodrang. Medical teams travelled across the district, providing health check-ups and essential services to more than a thousand patients. Residents say the initiative is making healthcare more accessible, especially for the elderly and people living in remote areas.
75-year-old Tshering has come to Jangsa Dzong in Khothangkha, where a mobile medical team has set up a temporary clinic.
Tshering was diagnosed with high blood pressure several years ago. Since then, he has needed regular medication and check-ups. But getting to the hospital is not easy.
The district hospital is about 50 kilometres away. For someone his age, the long journey can be exhausting. So when the medical team arrived in his village, it brought relief.
The team includes a doctor, a nurse, a laboratory technician and a pharmacist. They check blood pressure, test for diabetes, and provide maternal and child health services with the support of a female nurse. Medicines are also provided on the spot.
For Tshering, it means receiving treatment without leaving his village.
Tshering said, “Even if we have a vehicle, we often do not know where to go. And even when we reach the hospital, we do not know which department to visit. Today, we can complete our check-up here without going anywhere else. I am very grateful. Thank you very much.”
On this visit alone, the team checked around 150 patients.
Many were people who had delayed treatment because of work, financial constraints, or because they had no one to accompany them to the hospital.
Many were elderly patients who struggled to travel long distances.
Khothangkha Tshogpa Karma Dorji said, “We usually have to travel to Rinchengang hospital. Some tests require people to go on an empty stomach, and travelling like that can make people feel sick. So it helps a lot when health services come directly to our community.”
“It is also helpful for women. Sometimes women feel shy speaking about personal health problems to male health workers. When there is a female health worker, they feel more comfortable. It is also difficult to leave household responsibilities and travel to the hospital,” said Yangka, a resident.
“Our local health worker already provides good services. But the mobile team brings more equipment and even a doctor. So we can receive more advanced care here,” said Phuba, another resident who visited the unit.
It is one of ten units recently received through the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific, administered by the Asian Development Bank.
So far, the team has travelled to more than 20 locations in Wangdue Phodrang, providing medical services to around 1,200 patients.
Officials say the visits also help identify patients who may have missed follow-ups or treatment.
“Primary Health Care Centre basically focuses on the preventive part. However, MMU focuses on both preventive and curative parts of the services,” said Kunzang Thukten, the planning officer with the Health Ministry.
The team plans to return to each location on the same day every month, so residents can rely on regular medical care.
For communities where road access remains difficult, officials say alternative vehicles may be used to reach even the most remote villages.
The Health Ministry is planning to provide additional services in the future, including dental care and eye screening, such as cataract checks.
In Khothangkha, patients leave the clinic with medicines in hand and reassurance for their health. For many here, a hospital may still be hours away. But for today, healthcare has come to their doorstep.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
Edited by Sangay Chezom
