𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐈𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐬𝐚 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐤𝐡𝐚

…𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒈𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒇𝒇 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒐𝒏

By Tashi Tshewang

In the ongoing parliamentary session, Members of Parliament from Khatoed-Laya and Lingmukha-Toedwang constituencies raised urgent concerns over severe shortages of health staff in remote parts of Gasa and Punakha. They called for immediate government intervention to address the issue.

The Member from Khatoed-Laya highlighted the absence of health personnel at Lungo Extended Basic Health Unit (BHU) in Gasa. This situation leaves 63 households with 147 residents vulnerable, without access to basic healthcare. Meanwhile, the Member from Lingmukha-Toedwang drew attention to critical shortages of staff and emergency services at Samdingkha BHU in Punakha, which serves multiple gewogs and a large number of visitors to Chubu Tsachu.

Responding to these concerns, the Minister for Health acknowledged a national shortage of health workers but assured that efforts are underway. He said that infrastructure at Lungo BHU is nearly complete, with electricity connection expected soon. A male health worker will be deployed there within the year. In Laya, plans are in place to strengthen the existing BHU by deploying a doctor, additional staff, and introducing diagnostic services. Regarding Samdingkha BHU, the Minister noted that current staffing is considered adequate for the existing patient load but committed to further assessments to determine if additional staff or ambulance services are needed.

Sonam Tobgay, Gup of Lingmukha, said, “At our Tshochasa BHU, we currently have only two health workers, both male. They are hardworking and committed, but their presence alone cannot fully address the needs of our people. Women in our community, especially pregnant mothers, face great difficulty seeking care for sensitive health issues. Services like antenatal checkups, cervical cancer screenings, and family planning counseling are deeply personal. Many women feel uncomfortable discussing such matters with male health workers and may delay or avoid care altogether.”

Despite recognizing this issue, the Gewog Administration has not officially submitted a proposal to request a female health worker, as this responsibility falls under the Dzongkhag Health Sector and the Ministry of Health.

He added, “Although we have not submitted a formal proposal, we continue to raise this concern with the Dzongkhag Health Office. Staffing decisions are made at higher levels of health administration. Still, we remain actively engaged, voicing the community’s concerns in hopes of timely support. Our remote gewog, like Lingmukha, desperately needs adequate staffing, proper medical equipment, and well-trained professionals to ensure timely care. Services for women, children, and the elderly often get compromised because of these shortages. If the government prioritizes resource allocation for remote health centers, strengthens referral systems, and ensures gender-balanced staffing, healthcare delivery and trust in the public system can greatly improve.”

Kencho Wangdi, Tshogpa of Dompala, shared, “Many people in our chiwog suffer from high blood pressure, which needs regular checkups and proper care to prevent complications. Fortunately, the Basic Health Unit is nearby- just a 10 to 15-minute walk for most residents. This makes accessing basic healthcare easier.”

However, challenges arise due to limited health personnel at the BHU, which usually has only one health worker on duty. He said, “Even though the BHU is nearby, sometimes only one health worker is available. If a serious health problem occurs and services are not available, I arrange transportation and take the patient to the nearest hospital. I hire a vehicle when necessary to ensure timely care. As a Tshogpa, I feel responsible to act quickly to protect my community.”

Shekar Wangmo, Tshogpa of Tsheringkha, said, “Many elderly people in the chiwog suffer from high blood pressure. If their condition worsens suddenly, we contact the health center, hoping for quick medical attention. Usually, the health center responds promptly, but during emergencies, every minute counts.”

Limited transportation options make accessing emergency services more difficult, especially as most households do not own private vehicles. She added, “Most families here do not own cars. When we contact emergency numbers, ambulances often take a long time to arrive. Fortunately, the population is small, and serious incidents have been rare. Most issues get resolved without major complications. I have not made specific recommendations to the health center, since the situation remains manageable, but we remain concerned that a major emergency could pose serious challenges.”

Dawa Zangmo, a resident of Dompala, shared, “When our family is sick, we travel by our own vehicles for 30 minutes. For those without vehicles, our Tshogpa supports them. Some friends have told me that when their relatives go to collect medicines from the health center, they sometimes do not get the required medicines. This is worrying, especially for those who live far and must walk long distances. It is discouraging when people make the effort but return empty-handed.”

Limited medical supplies and the absence of advanced diagnostic services in remote villages remain challenges. Basic needs such as reliable ambulance services and access to ultrasound facilities are lacking, causing delays in treatment and hardship for rural families.

“If there was an ambulance available in the village, it would make a big difference, especially during emergencies. If ultrasound services could be provided locally, it would help greatly. Right now, when we go for an ultrasound, we are often told to come back the next day. It is not easy for villagers to travel back and forth, especially for pregnant mothers or those in pain.”