Four COVID hospitals begins to operate

… the COVID hospitals will prevent cross transmission and ensure delivery of normal healthcare services

Puran Gurung

To offer better COVID healthcare services during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, to prepare for possible arrivals of patients with COVID-19, and to better segregate COVID management from normal healthcare services – four COVID hospitals has been established in Thimphu, Chhukha, Mongar and Sarpang.

Going forward with the shift in the Ministry of Health’s strategy, severe or critical cases of COVID-19 based on severity assessments will be managed in these COVID hospitals which are equipped with all necessary facilities and equipment.

The four COVID hospitals currently have more than 700 isolation beds. The bed count has been determined based on the epidemiological projection of cases in the country.

All the COVID hospitals in the four districts have dialysis services, operation theatre, adult ICU (Intensive Care Unit), paediatric ICU, neo-natal ICU, and delivery room.

So far, 12 babies have been delivered at these hospitals from mother with COVID-19.

According to a Technical Advisory Group member, the COVID hospitals will prevent cross transmission and ensure delivery of normal health services.

COVID hospital in Thimphu is located at the premises of Jigme Singye Wangchuck Law School’s hostel at Taba. It is a 150-bedded COVID hospital with 10 adult ICUs, two paediatric ICU and five dialysis beds.

There are two COVID hospitals in Phuentsholing, Chhukha.

The Royal Institute for Governance and Strategic Studies (RIGSS) institute and Druk Green Power Corporation office has been converted to COVID hospital.

COVID hospital at RIGSS also caters Mother and Child Healthcare services including consultations for pregnant women, ultrasound services, antenatal check-ups, pregnancy-related blood screening tests, child immunization services among others.

Gelephu COVID hospital is located in the old Gelephu hospital. It can also accommodate more than 200 patients with COVID-19. The hospital is also in close proximity to the Gelephu Domestic Airport.

Mongar COVID hospital is located at the MCH hospital. It has a capacity to accommodate 50 to 70 patients with COVID-19.

Additionally, the Ministry of Health also plans to establish a separate 200 bedded COVID hospital in Tashigang to strengthen the existing COVID-19 response measures in the eastern region.