The frequent breakdown of the blood testing machine in Riserboo Hospital in Trashigang has been causing inconvenience for its patients. The hospital has only one haematology analyser and that too, an old one. With the machine currently non-functional, patients have to travel to other hospitals.
The breakdown of the haematology analyser in Riserboo Hospital in Wamrong started from mid of June last year.
Although it was repaired then and a few more times again, it is now almost four months since it broke down beyond repair.
The hospital received the machine in 2020.
Moreover, since the machine is an outdated one, officials said it has limited capacity and takes a longer time to conduct blood tests.
Without a haematology analyser, patients in the area including from some parts of Pema Gatshel are facing inconvenience as they have to travel to other hospitals.
“We had only one machine and that is also old. When it gets damaged people suffer as they come from far-flung areas and without the machine they have to return. For those who stay nearby, it is not a problem. But residents from some parts of Pema Gatshel, Thrimshing and Kangpar Gewogs are facing inconveniences,” said Jigme, Riserbu-Tsangpo Tshogpa of Lumang Gewog in Trashigang.
“When we reserve a vehicle, it costs between 5,000 to 6,000 ngultrum to reach Trashigang. It is not easy for farmers to pay that amount. If such a machine is functioning in this hospital, we can save the amount for other household purposes,” said Jigme Wangdi from Riserboo.
However, for emergency and patients admitted to the hospital, the staff perform the blood tests manually, which aren’t very accurate.
Besides this problem, the Riserboo Hospital is also facing frequent breakdowns of the bio-chemistry analyser. The machine is used to test kidney and liver function, blood sugar level and cholesterol.
For now, the hospital is currently using the one which has been mobilised from Samdrup Choling Hospital in Samdrup Jongkhar.
The Riserboo Hospital management has written a letter to the district administration for assistance.
According to the Chief Medical Officer of Trashigang, both the haematology and bio-chemistry analysers are too old and difficult to repair, as spare parts are not readily available.
But there is good news as the hospital will be receiving a fully automated biochemistry analyser and the latest haematology analyser by the end of this year. The tendering process is currently ongoing.
More than 1,600 patients availed themselves of the haematology analyser service or blood test last year at the Riserboo Hospital.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Tshering Zam
