Rajesh Rai | Phuentsholing

A Basic Health Unit (BHU) Grade-II was inaugurated at Kamji, Geling gewog, Chukha yesterday. It will benefit about 1,215 residents, including teachers and students of Kamji MSS, business community of Kamji and Suntalakha areas. It will also benefit the Phuentsholing-Thimphu highway commuters.

The Member of Parliament (National Council) Sangay Dorji and the First Secretary, representing the Embassy of India attended the event, along with Chukha dzongkhag tshogdu chairperson, other dzongkhag officials, and villagers of Geling gewog.

The BHU was funded by the Small Development Project (SDP-II), Government of India. A fund of over 14.4 million was invested.

The Senior Dzongkhag Health Officer, Gopal Hingmang said the construction took about two years and was delayed due to Covid-19 pandemic situation.

“Presently, one female health assistant and a caretaker are posted,” he said, adding that another senior health assistant will join soon as he has been transferred from Tsimakha hospital in Chukha.

Although the health unit has to have five bed capacity, this one in Kamji has three beds.

Gopal Hingmang also said that a BHU-II usually carries out preventive and promotive health services. They can also provide basic health services like immunisation, family planning services, sanitation and hygiene programmes and treatments, he added.

“Complicated health cases are referred to the nearest hospital in Gedu hospital, which has 20 beds,” he said.

Geling gup, Kinley Dorji said that all five chiwogs will benefit from the BHU but three among them will benefit more.

“Highway commuters will benefit too,” he said.