After six years

Nim Dorji | Trongsa

The wait was long, but it was worth. The new grade I Basic Health Unit (BHU) inaugurated yesterday in Dangdung is equipped with X-ray, dental, ultrasound and diagnostic lab facilities.

For the people of Langthel, it means saving time and money from not having to travel to Trongsa hospital with the completion of the BHU that will start providing service from May 4.  The new BHU has a medical officer and around 14 technical staffs.

The inauguration ceremony was simple with gathering discouraged in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Lead by the dzongdag Tenzin Dorji, few sector heads, some staff of MHPA, local government leaders attended the consecration ceremony.

Dzongkhag health officer Dorji Gyeltshen said that the BHU would benefit people of 460 households in Langthel gewog and the residents of Drakteng.

Langthel gup Sonam Lhendup said that the new BHU with all the facilities would help the people as they need not travel to other places to avail the services.

“In the past, those patients who need to be referred to Trongsa got stranded in road blocks,” he said. “Now with a doctor and all the facilities in one place the people can save both time and expenditure.”

Locals shared that the BHU opened at the right time when people are advised not to travel because of Covid-19. 

Funded by the Mangdechhu Hydro Power Project (MHPA) with a budget of Nu 57 million, the BHU was to cater to the increasing population in the area including staffs of MHPA and Korphu gewog residents.

Construction of the BHU began in 2014 with an aim to complete it by 2017. However, it took more than six years to complete the BHU.

It missed several deadlines and the health official attributed the failure to the contractors.

It was learnt that the delay was caused because the first contractor failed to complete the work on time. The contract was terminated and the work was awarded to a new contractor.