The much awaited new central regional referral hospital in Gelegphu will be constructed within the 11th Five Year Plan, but only after government’s approval. The hospital was supposed to be constructed during the 10th Five Year Plan period but got delayed.
The existing hospital is small. Two doctors share a room each and some of the equipment are lying idle due to shortage of rooms. Likewise, when a lot of patients come, beds are also not enough in the existing hospital.
“We have two ultrasound machines at the moment but we could not find space to keep one of the machines. Also in the ward, especially the female ward there is no space to keep the patients. So we have to keep them outside sometimes. The ones inside the ward are also congested as every patient has an attendant. So it’s difficult to find space,” said Chimi Dukpa, Media Officer of the hospital.
If the news hospital is constructed all these problems will be addressed, according to the officials. The 150-bedded hospital will be constructed on a 12-acre land near the existing hospital. The hospital will have ten doctors and offer more health services compared to now.
“It will also become convenient for the patients and doctors with more space available. We hope the Gelegphu Central Regional Referral Hospital will be able to cater to more patients then,” said Chimi Dukpa.
The new hospital will be constructed at a cost of about Nu. 600 million. The construction is expected to complete within three years after the approval from the government.
The Gelephu central regional referral hospital serves people of six central Dzongkhags.
