Phuentshogling Hospital currently sees about six hundred patients daily in the outpatient department, resulting in overcrowding. The new Thromde Health Centre, however, is expected to ease the congestion by providing an alternative location for patients to receive medical care. The health minister inaugurated the centre yesterday.
The new Thromde Health Centre is located in the heart of Phuentshogling town. It will provide basic health services ranging from mother and child care services, to x-rays, ultrasound, pap smear and dental services among others.
The new facility is expected to help decongest the existing main hospital and improve the overall efficiency and quality of healthcare services in Phuentshogling.
Dorji Tshering, the chief medical officer of Phuentshogling Hospital said, “People have to visit the general hospital for even the basic health services. That leads to overcrowding and long queues in the hospital. This deprives people from getting timely health services. Now, the new centre is expected to ease the congestion.”
He said with the opening of the new health centre will allow health workers to focus more on inpatient department in the general hospital.
Health officials emphasised the importance of establishing such a center given the growing population in Phuentshogling.
“It is presumed that people living in urban areas get good health services but as per research studies, this is not true. People living in urban areas don’t get proper services either and health inequity is not just here but persists globally,” added the chief medical officer.
He also said the establishment of the health centre is to achieve universal health coverage
The health centre will have up to 12 health staff including a doctor.
According to the health minister, a few staff from Phuentshogling hospital will be transferred to the center. He added that the ministry will also consider allotting additional staff if necessary.
While some equipment have yet to be installed, the health centre will provide services including maternal and child services from next month.
The centre was built spending Nu 23 M with support from the Asian Development Bank.
Kinley Dem, Phuentshogling
Edited by Phub Gyem
