Residents of Samdrupcholing Drungkhag in Samdrup Jongkhar are calling for the expansion and upgrading of the dungkhag hospital. The 10-bed facility, built about two decades ago, is no longer adequate to meet the healthcare needs of the growing population.
More than 100 patients visit Samdrupcholing Hospital daily. But residents say its two-decade-old facility can no longer meet the growing healthcare needs of more than 10,000 residents. They are calling for expansion and improved facilities.
“The hospital was built many years ago and now needs upgrading and repairs. With more patients visiting daily, it is becoming difficult to accommodate everyone with the existing facilities,” said Phurpa Gyaltsen, a resident.
Another resident Ngadar, said, “The hospital is old, and we really need new infrastructure to meet the healthcare needs of the growing community.”
The issue was also raised during the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu, where local leaders said the growing population and establishments have increased demand for healthcare, while the hospital’s infrastructure and bed capacity remain unchanged.
Pemathang Gup Pema Lekso said, “With only a 10-bed hospital, we face many challenges. Samdrupcholing has four gewogs, along with the Gyalsung Academy and other developments. With the growing population, the hospital sometimes cannot accommodate all patients, so we raised this issue in the Dzongkhag Tshogdu.”
However, the District Health Official says hospital upgrades depend on Ministry of Health criteria, including population, patient load, existing services and health needs.
The house asked the District Health Office to conduct an assessment based on the ministry’s criteria for upgrading the hospital to a 20-bed facility and to follow up with the ministry.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
