Nima Wangdi
His Majesty’s Kidu Mobile Medical Unit saw 1,733 patients from remote areas during the 13-day camp in Trongsa which concluded on October 3.
The team operated on 64 cases including 14 laparoscopic and seven LEEP surgeries. The medical specialist also saw 577 cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The unit’s mandate is to deliver specialist health services to people in remote parts of the country. This is the first camp after almost three years of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The team is comprised of a medical specialist, a surgeon, a gynaecologist, a paediatrician, an anaesthetist nurse, and senior technicians. The team provided dental, ultrasound, ENT, orthopaedic, dispensing, and laboratory services. They provided both curative and screening clinical services including surgeries.
The team has members from Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, RBA hospital, and Bumthang and Trongsa hospitals.
The head of the unit, Dr Phurb Dorji said that 106 patients received ECG services; 496 people with dental problems received treatment, and another 255 received ultrasound scans during the camp which started on September 21.
“Once we identify patients needing medical treatment in any clinical area and if that cannot be done in the camp, we call them to regional referral hospitals or to the JDWNRH after the camp,” Dr Phurb Dorji said.
Camps were conducted in Nabji BHU, Jangbi BHU, Bemji BHU, and Trongsa hospital. All major operations cases were screened and done in Trongsa Hospital.
Dr Phurb Dorji said that the team also fixed appointments with relevant specialists to facilitate their complete treatment. “This time 30 patients were called to JDWNRH.”
The team observed during the camp that NCDs were common health problems among elderly citizens. Hypertension, osteoarthritis, peptic ulcer diseases and lower back pain topped the list of common morbidities, according to Dr Phurb Dorji.
He said that the camp was specifically planned for people living in lower Trongsa.
Dr Phurb Dorji said that people expressed gratitude to the His Majesty for bringing specialist health services to their doorsteps.