Wangdue Phodrang hospital will be temporarily used for performing cancer-related surgeries. According to Health Minister Dechen Wangmo, this is to provide uninterrupted medical services even with the outbreak of COVID-19 in Thimphu.
A team of six specialists and seven nurses and technicians are in Wangdue Phodrang since a few days ago. They are currently in quarantine. And surgeries are expected to start in the coming week.
“We have a plan to take the patients to Wangdue and carry out the surgeries. They will undergo seven days quarantine and COVID-19 test before going there,” said Health Minister Dechen Wangmo.
Lyonpo added that “they will undergo the surgery and after recovery, the ministry will help to bring them back. ”
The minister said medical equipment that is not available at the hospital have been ferried from the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital.
Similarly, specialists along with technicians have been sent to different regional and district hospitals. They have been sent to Gelegphu and Monggar Regional Referral Hospitals, Phuentshogling, Samtse and Trashigang.
“Our biggest concern is about disruption in the regular medical services as we focus on COVID-19. That is why we have sent specialists in different regions,” said the Health Minister.
16 specialists in the field of Surgery, Gynaecology, Pediatric, Orthopedic, Ophthalmology, ENT and Anaesthesiology are sent to these districts.
Kinley Dem