When a person suffers from kidney failure, the body becomes unable to remove wastes and excess fluids, which is needed to stay fit. To do this, a patient requires dialysis service regularly. The unavailability of the dialysis service in most districts means it is a challenge for people with such conditions. The Wangdue district hospital recently acquired a dialysis machine and since then has been able to provide the service to patients in the district and those living close by.
35-year-old Tashi Tobgay has been suffering from Kidney failure for more than a year and a half. He needs to visit the hospital for dialysis after every five days. He is from Trongsa but he stays at Lobesa in Punakha in a rented apartment so that he can get treatment on time.
Earlier, without the dialysis service in the hospitals nearby, he had to travel all the way to Thimphu. He says it was difficult.
“It was difficult as I had to travel once every four to five days, and since I am sick, I cannot do any work to earn an income. However, it has been around four months now since the dialysis machine was installed here at Wangdue Hospital and it is now very convenient.”
Like Tashi, the dialysis service at the Wangdue Hospital is benefitting many other patients.
There are currently more than ten patients undergoing dialysis in Wangdue.
“It was quite difficult when we had to go to Thimphu. Firstly, it was difficult to find transportation and even when we travelled in an ambulance, it was difficult as we have to travel long distances. But now it has become convenient,” said Kinzang Wangchuk, a patient at Wangdue Hospital.
Another patient with kidney failure, Tobgay said, “It was a huge hassle when I had to drive to Thimphu for the treatment. But, we are fortunate enough to have the dialysis machines here now. Moreover, doctors and health staff are taking care of us very well.”
Patients are now hoping the hospital can also provide a guesthouse service since they sometimes fail to reach the hospital on time for treatment due to roadblocks during the monsoon. The hospital says they are looking into it.
The dialysis service began in March this year.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
Edited by Sangay Chezom
