Similar to our earlier reports from a few districts, residents of Trashi Yangtse are also struggling to get access to proper medication due to the lack of a medical shop. The only pharmacy in the district closed down a few years ago due to poor business. This has left the people with no other option than to travel to neighbouring districts or rely on relatives to send them the medicines which they cannot get from the hospital.
In Trashi Yangste, even for a simple medical problem, a person has to go to the hospital to get medication.
This is because the district has been without a pharmacy for the past two years.
Currently, Trashi Yangtse residents have been travelling to nearby districts such as Monggar and Trashigang or asking their friends and relatives in Thimphu to send them the medicines.
“Whenever we fall sick, be it an adult or an infant, it is difficult to get medicines here. We have to go all the way to Trashigang or Thimphu. Even for headaches or fever, we have to go to the hospital for medication,” said Tashi Yangzom, a resident of Yangtse Gewog.
Chorten Tshering, a resident of Yangtse Gewog said, “we had a shop here, it was run by a couple and they were experienced, so they prescribed us medicines for minor illnesses. But they closed their shop and went to Australia. Now people go to Trashigang and Monggar to buy medicines. Most of the time people transport their medicines by bus from Thimphu. On every bus trip from Thimphu, we see many parcels containing medicine.”
“It is very problematic, without a medical shop here. We have to travel very far to buy medicines and it is difficult for people like us. It would be beneficial if someone opened a pharmacy in the locality,” said Sonam Yangjay, a resident of Yangtse Gewog.
According to the district hospital, it has enough essential drugs at the hospital and during emergencies, they manage from hospitals in other districts.
The problem is with minor illnesses which require over-the-counter medication that is both convenient and time-saving for the people.
However, officials say they have not seen any interested individuals wanting or planning to open up shop in the district.
Ngawang Tenzin, Trashi Yangtse
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
