Bhutan achieves 70 percent female health assistants’ deployment

The health ministry has been able to deploy 70 percent female health assistants across the country.

“By the end of 11^th Five Year Plan, the ministry intends to achieve 80 percent female health assistants,” said the health minister, Tandin Wangchuk in response to a question posed by Nanong Shumar MP, Dechen Zangmo.

During the National Assembly’s Question Hour today, MP Dechen Zangmo said most of the Basic Health Units and health centres in the country do not have female nurses.

“It has affected the health of women and children.”

Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk said even though there is a shortage of female health assistants, particularly in Basic Health Unit grade II, the number of female health assistants increased from 215 in 2012 to 264, this year.

He said the ministry will increase the intake of female health assistants in collaboration with Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan. “We are working on a guideline which mandates female health assistants to serve in rural area at least once.”

There are 260 health centres including hospitals, Basic Health Units and Sub-Post in the country.