The Dagana District Hospital in Dagapela is without any doctors for more than a month now. The hospital being a referral point for about nine Basic Health Units (BHUs) in the dzongkhag, people say it is hampering the medical services.
The hospital sees over 150 patients daily. At present, a senior clinical officer is providing the services and in about a month over 20 cases have been referred to nearby hospitals.
“This is my third time coming to the hospital. Every time I get better I go home and within a month I get sick again. It first started with diarrhoea and vomiting followed by chest pain. It would be convenient and time-saving if the hospital has a medical doctor,” Kadom, a patient, said.
“If there is a doctor it will benefit us all,” Yangzom, another patient, said.
“We were told that in our hospital we have two doctors on duty but as of now, there is not even one. Currently, a Clinical Officer from Drujeygang BHU is providing the service. We come at nine in the morning and we have to wait till three in the evening. It is time-consuming and inconvenient,” Purna Singh Gurung, a patient’s attendant, said.
Earlier the district hospital has two doctors. One of them left for higher studies while the other one is on medical leave.
“We have put the matter to the ministry and we are constantly reminding about the situation here. We were told that most of the doctors were in training and couldn’t depute immediately. But assured us to depute a doctor soon,” Dorji Wangchuk, the Sr. Dzongkhag Health Officer, said.
Meanwhile Dagana BHU, which is Grade One, also does not have a doctor. The lone doctor is on long-term medical leave.
