𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐍𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐦 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐨

…𝒃𝒖𝒅𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒇𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒑𝒖𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘, 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝑵𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒂𝒎 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆.

By Kinzang Lhamo

The long-awaited 50 bedded hospital planned for Nganglam, a project considered nationally significant, remains under review as the Ministry of Health reassesses its feasibility amid tightening fiscal conditions. Residents had expected construction to begin following the groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for October 13, 2023, but the ministry has not confirmed when work will start, leaving the community and neighbouring regions uncertain about the project’s progress.

The proposed facility is expected to serve not only the people of Nganglam Constituency but also those from nearby areas such as Mongar Dzongkhag, Panbang Drungkhag and Pema Gatshel Dzongkhag, along with commuters travelling through the busy trade route. With increasing economic activity and rising mobility in the region, the hospital has been anticipated as an important upgrade to ease pressure on health services across eastern and southern parts of the country.

During the National Assembly session, Lamdra Wangdi, Member of Parliament from Nganglam Constituency, raised concerns about the lack of progress. He said the project continues to be “one of the most frequently asked issues during constituency visits,” with residents repeatedly enquiring about the status of the hospital.

In response, Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk said the ministry is still reviewing the upgradation plan for Nganglam Hospital, which was inaugurated in 2023 but could not move forward due to financial limitations. He said, “The Ministry of Health is reviewing the upgradation of Nganglam Hospital, which has been delayed due to budget constraints.”
According to him, the assessment includes population growth, patient workload, development trends and health indicators across the region. He said these factors would guide decisions on whether a 50 bedded hospital is the most viable option under current national priorities.

Lyonpo also highlighted the broader regional significance of the facility, noting that “across the southern belt from Samtse to Samdrupjongkhar, five 10 bed hospitals operate, with Nganglam ranking third in terms of patient load.” He said the ministry is examining the possibility of establishing a cluster hospital that could serve as a regional hub.
He explained that the ministry is evaluating whether Nganglam or Pemagatshel would be better positioned for such a role, with the aim of ensuring an efficient distribution of health resources to high demand areas.

While the long term plan remains under review, the ministry has taken steps to ensure that services are not disrupted. “To meet immediate healthcare needs, two doctors, one dentist, and two health assistants have been added to the existing team,” said Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk.

He added that although only 11 nursing posts were officially approved, “two extra nurses have been recruited to strengthen service delivery.” He assured the public that the current facility continues to provide services without interruption and that any upgrade would proceed only when national priorities, patient demand and fiscal capacity align.

Similar challenges have emerged in Doksum in Trashiyangtse Dzongkhag, where rapid development following the resumption of the Kholongchhu Hydropower Project has increased pressure on local infrastructure. The proposed Doksum hospital was initially planned as a 10 bed facility, but updated technical standards now require a 20 bed structure. The current site lies on a steep slope, and the minister said the location “would require major retaining structures,” leading the ministry to request the Dzongkhag Tshogdu to identify a more suitable site.

Local leaders said strong coordination between the ministry and local government is important during the assessment process. Kinley Dorji, Gup of Norbugang under Pemagatshel Dzongkhag, said local authorities continue to provide information and feedback to the ministry.

“We assess the current healthcare needs by closely monitoring population growth, patient load, and the rising demand for services at Nganglam Hospital through regular consultations with health staff and community members,” he said.
He added that the Dzongkhag Tshogdu and local leadership “can play a crucial role in identifying a suitable location for the proposed Doksum Hospital by facilitating consultations, assessing accessibility, and recommending a site that ensures efficient service delivery.”

According to him, health facilities across the region are already struggling due to increasing developmental activities, rising patient inflow and the movement of people from neighbouring gewogs and eastern Dzongkhags. He said Nganglam, in particular, functions as a service centre, making its current facility inadequate for the growing demand.
Kinley Dorji said, “A 50-bedded hospital is urgently required in Nganglam due to the rapidly increasing population and the heavy patient load from the town, nearby gewogs, and even other eastern Dzongkhags who seek services here.”

In Trashiyangtse, similar concerns were shared. Rinchen Wangdi, Tshogpa of Khamdang Manla, said, “We have been waiting for the hospital for a long time, but the construction has not started yet.” He said that the absence of a local facility forces residents and Kholongchhu project employees to travel to Tshenkhar Hospital, which is already burdened.
“The number of patients visiting Tshenkhar Hospital is growing rapidly, and I am concerned that in the near future, it will not be enough to cater to everyone’s needs,” he said. He added that establishing a hospital locally is “crucial to ensure timely and adequate healthcare for our growing population.”

As both proposals remain under review, the Ministry of Health said decisions will rely on data and long term sustainability. For now, communities in Nganglam and Doksum continue to wait, hopeful that the long promised improvements will eventually materialise.