Serthig Basic Health Unit (BHU) in Samdrup Jongkhar is in a dire need of an additional health assistant. The only health facility in Serthig Gewog is currently managed by one health assistant and villagers are not able to avail themselves of the medical services as expected.
Despite being a weekday, yesterday, the BHU located in Khandophu_Minjiwoong chiwog remained closed. The lone serving health assistant had left for the monthly check-up visit to one of the gewog’s outreach clinics.
Villagers said this is not the first time the health facility was under lock and key. The problem arose after the BHU’s other health assistant got transferred last year.
As per the rule, the BHU should be kept open till 3 PM on weekdays and till 1 PM on Saturday.
“The lone health assistant has to keep travelling rendering health services so we do need additional health staff. Sometimes, when we bring our sick children to the BHU, it would be closed,” said Norbu Gyem, from Serthig Gewog.
“It is difficult for one health assistant to manage the BHU. When the health assistant goes to the out-reach clinics or training, the BHU is locked. During that time, if someone falls sick, who will attend to the patient? Things could get complicated,” added Tshering Zangmo, from the same gewog.
Villagers added, at times, when the need for medical attention is urgent and the BHU is closed, they have to travel almost 25 kilometres to Jomotshangkha hospital.
The issue was also discussed in the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu. The District Health Officer informed that the office is aware of the shortage and has requested the Health Ministry to send an additional health assistant for Serthig BHU. They are expecting to get one by January next year.
Meanwhile, with the government prioritizing delivery of quality health services, people of Serthig are hopeful their problem will be looked into and addressed at the earliest.
Kinley Wangchuk
