People in Nganglam of Pema Gatshel thought they will be stuck with the more than two decades old 10-bedded hospital for a long time. There were pledges to upgrade it, but it remained as a pledge only to be picked by a political party again. And then came the bye-election renewing their hopes. The member of parliament candidate from the ruling government pledged to upgrade the hospital to a 50-bedded hospital.
Come summer, the 10-bedded hospital in Nganglam will soon be flooded with patients. With not enough beds to accommodate all the patients, some have to sleep on the floor. According to residents, referrals to bigger hospitals are difficult during the summer because of the constant roadblocks.
“The population in Nganglam is increasing and there is a need for a bigger hospital. We were told we don’t have to travel to Monggar and Gelephu Hospital if we have one here. So, we are hopeful that we will soon get one,” said Tashi Namgay, from Norbugang Gewog in Nganglam.
“During the bye-election, they have promised to construct the Nganglam hospital immediately,” said Rinchen Zangpo, from Dechhenling Gewog in Nganglam.
Minister for Labour and Human Resources Karma Dorji pledged this during the bye-election in June last year. However, almost a year after winning the election, the work is still not started. Lyonpo said it is because of a budget shortage.
“With the current situation, what we want is COVID-19 hospitals. So, we have established those hospitals. Due to that, today we are free to move without staying in quarantine,” Lyonpo said.
With just more than a year left to complete the current government’s term, people are worried that the pledge will not materialise again.
“Among many pledges, we found upgrading of the hospital as the most important. So, people are hoping the government to start the construction very soon,” said Tenzin Choda, in Nganglam town.
“This pledge was made by the previous government and it was also made by today’s government, as it is one of the most important ones. So we are very thankful to the government. At the same time, we would be grateful if this project could start soon,” said Ugyen Dorji, in Norbugang.
“If they start the foundation and other construction work immediately we won’t be suspicious of false promises,” said Tashi Namgay in Norbugang.
However, they can put their worries to rest, at least for now. The minister says the work to upgrade the hospital will start within a year.
“I have been requesting the government. So, the Prime Minister discussed it with the Health Minister and it is ready now. We will float the tender for the contractors, and soon after we are going to award the work to upgrade the Nganglam hospital in the same location,” Lyonpo Karma Dorji said.
Nganglam hospital has an x-ray and ultrasound facility with 60 staff today. The hospital attends to 100 to 200 patients daily in summer and around 80 to 100 patients in winter. There are more than 10,000 people residing in and around Nganglam town.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Sonam
