With an increasing number of residents in Nobding under Dangchhu Gewog in Wangdue Phodrang, the need to upgrade the health centre has become important and timely. Dangchhu Gewog officials said to provide timely health service, there is a need for a 10-bedded hospital. Residents said if the health centre is upgraded, it will be of help to the commuters along the highway as well. For now, only a Primary Health Centre (PHC) with two health staff cater the health service. Dangchhu Gewog officials raised the issue during the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu.
According to the Dangchhu Gewog Administration, with a lack of equipment, ambulance and doctors in the present Primary Health Centre, patients have to travel to Wangdue Phodrang hospital or Eusakha 10-bedded hospital in Phobjikha for medication. The Wangdue Phodrang hospital is located some 40 kilometres away from Nobding.
However, if the centre is upgraded, the Mangmi of Dangchhu Gewog said it will ease the problem.
“Many accidents occur between Pelela and Khelekha. Due to lack of equipment in the current Primary Health Centre, we see people losing their lives in front of our eyes,” added Sonam Dorji, the Mangmi.
He also said that the centre has enough space and infrastructure for the up-gradation.
During the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu, the district health sector said they are aware of the problems faced by the people, especially for those pregnant women. The Assistant District Health Officer said two health staff cater the medical service. Otherwise, the PHC is entitled to only one.
“As per their request, we are also planning to upgrade it to Grade-I and give them a separate specialist. Since the area is an accident-prone area, we have a plan to establish the Trauma centre at Nobding. We have also received this order from a higher authority,” said Rinchen Dorji, the Assistant District Health Officer.
Meantime, if the plans are not hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the health sector will allocate a budget for the up-gradation in the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
The Dzongkhag Tshogdu will submit the recommendations to the parliament.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
