The Trashigang hospital has been without a Gynaecologist for over three months now. In the absence of one, complicated pregnancy-related cases are referred to the Monggar Regional Referral Hospital.
The hospital has referred over 40 such cases to the regional hospital. The hospital’s gynaecologist is currently on medical leave for six months.
The hospital receives pregnancy cases from Pema Gatshel and Trashi Yangtse districts as well.
“My wife is expecting and there is no gynaecologist here. In case of a complication, I have to go to Monggar hospital. That would be risky for my wife as the journey will take hours. It is an extra burden. Such a big hospital should at least have a gynaecologist,” Kinley Dorji, a resident, said.
Also, attending to pregnancy cases with major complications is becoming a challenging task for general medical doctors. The hospital receives over 150 patients every day.
“Trashigang is the most populated dzongkhag, We have so many patients visiting on a daily basis where GDMO will see around 80 to 100 patient daily. If we calculate it in terms of time from 9 am-3 pm, hardly we have 3 minutes to see each patient, because of which we cannot do proper checking and examinations. So, I think we might have missed some diagnosis at times,” Samten Wangchuk, the General Medical Officer, said.
However, the hospital’s doctors are expected to be eased off the burden. The district health officer said a medical doctor posted in Ranjung will join soon. Likewise, the Gynaecologist on leave is also expected to be back by November.
At the moment, Trashigang Hospital has seven general medical doctors of which four are currently on study leave.
Sonam Darjay
