Samdrup Jongkhar has been without a gynaecologist for more than three years now. Pregnant women have to travel for hours towards Trashigang and Monggar.
Recently, 24-year-old Kinley Choden from Dewathang Gewog travelled to Monggar for a cesarean section. Back in 2017, she delivered her first child at the hospital in Dewathang. The hospital had a gynecologist then. However the only gynaecologist was transferred to Monggar in April of that year and never received a replacement since then.
Kinley Choden says travelling, especially for pregnant women, is challenging. “The hospital provided an ambulance. Without the ambulance, it would be difficult for me to travel. Moreover, without any relatives in Monggar, we face other problems. We would be grateful if there’s one gynaecologist here.”
The issue was also raised during the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu. Gomdar Gup Sonam Tshering said “even if it is not possible to get a gynaecologist permanently, we will be grateful if we get a gynaecologist on a temporary posting during the pandemic.”
Meanwhile, health minister Dechen Wangmo said the ministry is planning to send a gynecologist within this year.
“We enhance the services in each Dzongkhag every year. This year, we will be expanding the services in Bumthang, Tsirang, Dewathang, Wangdue and Samtse. So, this year, we will send a gynaecologist and a surgeon,” said the minister.
Every month more than five pregnant women in Samdrup Jongkhar visit the hospitals in Trashigang and Monggar.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Tshering Zam
