There are incidences of people dying on their way to the National Referral Hospital in Thimphu from Monggar and Gelegphug region in absence like MRI and CT scan facilities, according to the Kengkhar-Weringla MP, Rinzin Jamtsho.
Speaking in the National Assembly yesterday, MP Rinzin Jamtsho asked the health minister, Tandin Wangchuk when the regional hospitals will have MRI and CT scan facilities.
Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk said the two referral hospitals will have CT scan facility under the initiative of regional balanced development. “It has been submitted to the government and the government has taken it as a priority.”
But, he said it will be implemented only towards the end of five year plan as it takes more than three years to train 14 staff like radiologists, and CT scan technicians, among others.
However, the government would not be able to provide MRI services, according to the Minister. “This is because, the priority is to have CT scan first,” said the minister.
Government spends Nu 3,900 for a CT scan per person and Nu 2, 000 for MRI. It spends Nu 2.9 M on MRI and 2.5 M for CT scan as operational cost every year.
