Trongsa has remained without a medical shop for almost a year now. The owner of the Trongsa town’s lone medical shop left around a year ago to set up a bigger shop in Thimphu.
According to some people in the district, even for a small cut, they have to travel around five kilometres to reach the district hospital.
“From children to parents, everyone needs medicines. The town alone has about five thousand heads who need a pharmacy shop,” said Trongsa Thromde Thuemi Karma Lethro.
“Without a medical shop, we do not get medicines such as pain relievers and the medicines that the hospital recommend us to buy. Even getting a cough syrup for children and adults is an issue now,” added Lemo, a resident of the town.
The people there are accusing the local authorities of failing to help set up a medical shop in the town.
“Although it is not a serious issue for the adults, it is difficult especially when children fall sick, as the hospital is very far and there is no medical shop around,” said Pema Lhaden from Nubi Gewog.
According to the district administration and the Thromde, not a single individual expressed interest to set up a medical shop in the town as of today.
“We are going to help find a space to set up the shop if there is anyone interested and certified,” said the Thromde Thuemi Karma Lethro.
For now, all they can do is wait until a willing pharmacist sets up a pharmacy in the town.
Passang, Trongsa