Basic Health Units in Langthil Gewog in Trongsa are seeing an increasing number of patients in recent times. The spike has been attributed to its proximity to Mangdechhu hydropower project.
Records maintained by health officials show over 50 patients visit BHUs every day. However, the BHUs in Langthil are understaffed. The Tongtongphey Grade II Basic Health Unit has two working staff, one nurse and a health assistant.
Those suffering from communicable diseases like cough and cold and with cuts and minor injuries visit the centre daily.
Health assistant, Dorji Drakpa said it had led to compromising on quality service delivery. “It is difficult to attend to everyone.”
The centre also caters to five out reach clinics once a month. Officials from the clinics agreed it led to compromising on quality service delivery.
Health officials said, they also attended to pregnant women and immunise children on a timely basis, besides advocacy and creating awareness.
However, problems they face today might just be short lived with Mangdechhu hydropower project authority funding the construction of another grade I BHU in Langthil.
The BHU is being constructed a few kilometres away from the present BHU. While people in Langthil applaud the move, Langthil Gup Lham Dorji said, once the construction of the project completes, the questioned remained on the maintaining the infrastructure.
A resident, Lhendrup said, increase in population had brought with it frequent diseases, so the new BHU might make a difference.
An Ambulance, emergency medical team, laboratories, diagnostic services and several nurses and doctors are being planned for the new BHU, Health Assistant Dorji Drakpa said.
“This will improve service delivery”, he added.
Costing Nu 10.7M, the BHU will be complete by 2017. It will also cater to people from other gewogs in the dzongkhag.
