Outreach clinics have taken health services closer to people in remote communities. The health officials visit the clinics once a month to conduct health check-ups. But the residents of Damzhagsa village under Tading Gewog in Samtse say they need a proper outreach clinic. Damzhagsa village is located some 13 kilometres away from the Samtse-Phuentshogling highway.
The outreach clinic was constructed in 2014. It is a makeshift bamboo hut. There is every chance that outsiders might mistake it for a cowshed. It survived the elements for the last seven years.
“The clinic will not last long. It will be blown away by strong winds. However, we maintain the clinic every month. But the hut is now starting to decay,” said Bindra Bdr. Rai.
“We hope the government sees this and helps us with a proper clinic in the village because Damzhagsa is a big village with about 90 households. Moreover, we don’t have a good road to reach the nearest BHU,” said Jan Bdr. Rai.
The District Health Sector said they are only responsible to assess and identify villages eligible for outreach clinics. The absence of road connectivity and the number of mothers and children are some of the main factors. In Tadinggewog, from about four outreach clinics, two villages do not have proper structures. There are about 55 clinics in Samtse.
Meanwhile, the gewog administration is planning to use a multipurpose hall in the nearby school.
As per the Annual Health Bulletin 2020, there are more than 500 outreach clinics in the country. And free healthcare is benefiting everyone.
Passang Dorji, Samtse
