Every monsoon, the Phuentsholing general hospital sees a huge number of patients. However, unlike last year, this year the hospital is seeing an increasing pressure on managing the patient load mainly due to the shortage of doctors. The shortage has equally affected the patients visiting the hospital.
On an average, about four to five hundred patients visit the hospital every day at this time of the year. But with limited doctors in the hospital, patients have to wait in cue for hours for the treatment.
“This is my third time visiting the hospital. And not just me, everyone here are facing problems. It’s not that the doctors are unwilling, but with just two of them, it’s difficult for them as well. So it would be helpful for everyone if additional doctors could be managed immediately,” said a patient, Dawa Tshering.
Knowing the situation some patients rush to the hospital as early as 8 am. “Even if we come as early as 8 in the morning, it’s almost 3 pm by the time we get home after treatment. It is inconvenient especially for those who come with their children,” said Shantilal Sharma, also a patient.
According to the hospital management, the hospital had four medical doctors and a gynecologist. But currently, there are only two medical doctors and the gynecologist. The other two doctors left for studies this year. The only clinical officer of the hospital was also transferred. This, they said, has increased the work pressure on the existing doctors in the hospital.
“We will not be able to give them the required attention because of the number of cases you have to see,” said Dr. Manish Raj Gurung, Medical Officer.
People who are allowed to prescribe besides the doctor are Health Assistants but their number is also limited. Moreover, they have to cater to the mother and child clinic.
For now, the hospital has a medicine and surgery graduate as an attachment but only for a while. He will be soon leaving to sit for the Civil Service Examination. Majority of the patients who visit the hospital at this time of the year come with viral fever and common cold. Very few come to consult the specialists.
Limited doctors have equally increased the pressure on the nurses on duty at the casualty section. The Nurses said to escape from the hassle of having to wait in queue during normal hours, people rush at the casualty after 3 p.m. “According to our work ethics, apart from nursing, we are not allowed to do any other clinical jobs but due to shortage of doctors we are forced to. At times, patients come and directly look for a doctor but even on explaining to them about the shortage, they don’t understand and they charge us,” said Youngba, In-charge, Casualty Section.
The hospital has already notified the Ministry about the shortage. The hospital sees patients from as far as places like Sibsoo, Samtse and Lhamoizingkha.
