The National Referral Hospital has resumed special consultation services for the convenience of the public. The resumption of the service earlier this month is expected to provide better healthcare services to the public. The hospital suspended the service in 2020 following the outbreak of COVID-19 infection in the country.
From eye check-ups to endoscopy to CT scans, almost all services available during working hours will be available for those seeking special consultation services.
However, patients will have to pay certain amounts to avail themselves of the services. The fees for the services range from Nu 100 to Nu 5000. Patients will have to call and make an appointment in advance. The services will be available from 4 pm to 7 pm during the weekdays.
The Medical Superintendent of JDWNRH, Sonam Tshering said, “those who cannot find time during the normal working hours from 9 am to 3 pm and employees of corporate institutions who have to undergo annual medical checkups can access our special consultation. So, this way, the patient’s convenience is taken into account.”
Some of the patients and residents in Thimphu expressed mixed reactions while many are not yet aware of the service.
Nidup, a patient said, “I did not have any idea about the special consultation services. I came for treatment from Paro and it’s been a long time since I got here and I am still waiting to be treated. This new measure will definitely help the rich ones but I think it will be difficult for the poor ones to afford.”
“I am very happy to hear that there are special consultation services at the National Referral Hospital now. The time extension will definitely help the patients but I am worried if all of us especially those coming from poor financial status can afford the services. We may have to keep visiting the hospital just like how we are doing now,” Lungten Norbu, a patient.
“We usually cannot meet the doctors because the hospital issues limited numbers of tokens while there are more patients visiting the hospital. I am happy that we need not worry about this anymore because now this service is going to provide us a chance to access treatment even after office hours,” added Pema, a patient.
According to the hospital management, the charges for the services are revised because of the new and better equipment.
Around 150 patients accessed the special consultation services in the last 15 days.
Namgay Dema
Edited by Phub Gyem
