The number of people availing Immigration Medical Examination or IME service for Australian visas has drastically dropped at the Gelephu Central Regional Referral Hospital. The hospital started providing the service to people applying for Australian visas in February, last year, to help reduce the pressure on the national referral hospital. The hospital says the decline could be because of the decreasing trend of people leaving for Australia.
At one point in time, last year, the Gelephu Central Regional Referral Hospital was forced to temporarily suspend the online registration for medical examinations from March to July after appointment slots were filled.
Doctor Choeda Gyeltshen, the medical superintendent of the hospital said that only a few individuals have registered for medical examination this year.
He said the hospital only had one session of medical examination so far this month. The hospital takes eight clients in a session.
“I do not know why the number is declining. It could be because everyone eligible could have left or people are reluctant to leave now due to tighter immigration rules announced by the Australian government.”
Throughout last year, at least 200 clients visited the hospital for medical examinations each month. In September last year, with 395 individuals, the hospital saw the highest number of clients.
However, the number has dropped since the beginning of this year with only 70 clients registered in January.
The hospital provides medical examination service on weekdays from 3 PM to 6 PM. People have to pay Nu 1,500 per person for the service.
Karma Wangdi, Gelephu
Edited by Kipchu
