Health: Work to construct a 40-bed hospital in Damphu, Tsirang has begun with a groundbreaking ceremony held yesterday.  Information and communications minister, DN Dhungyel attended the ceremony.

The new hospital, a government of India (GoI) project, will be constructed next to the existing hospital on an area of 5,000.60sqm.

Lyonpo DN Dhungyel said that the government was fortunate to have received unwavering support from the GoI in providing good health facilities for the people.

“Within this 11th Plan, the GoI has committed to assist government with a financial assistance to the tune of Nu 1.7B (billion), a sum of Nu 254M (million) has been earmarked by the GoI for the construction of a 40-bedded hospital, which is scheduled for the completion within the Plan,” lyonpo said.

The chief medical officer, Dr Tej Nath Nepal, said the new hospital would come as a great relief to the people of Tsirang and the neighbouring dzongkhag Dagana.

“The existing hospital is 20 bed but sometimes we have to put extra beds when patient load increases,” he said. “People from places in Dagana, which is nearer to Tsirang, also come to Damphu hospital.”

Chief engineer with the health infrastructure and development division, Kunzang Namgyel, said that they were adopting green building concept for the new hospital, and would equip it with a water treatment plant, waste management and rainwater harvesting facilities.

“After the construction competes, modern specialised facilities, like heating and air conditioning, will be put in place,” he said.

The construction is scheduled to complete and become operational by May 2018.

By Yeshey Dema, Tsirang

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