Following a report on how a 36-year-old woman is caged in Phanas village in Mongar battling a debilitating mental disease, the health secretary, Dr Ugen Dophu, instructed the Mongar regional referral hospital (MRRH) officials to bring her to the hospital.

The woman was brought to MRRH around 3pm yesterday.

Medical specialist, Dr Ugyen Choden, said the patient, Tshering Lhamo, was given antipsychotic medication in consultation with the psychiatrist from Jigme Dorji Wangchuk national referral hospital in Thimphu.

Health officials of MRRH said the Ngatshang BHU’s brother and the patient’s mother brought Tshering Lhamo to the hospital in the ambulance.

Dr Ugyen Choden said the patient will be referred to JDWNRH if she doesn’t show improvement.

Meanwhile, Tshering Lhamo’s mother, Yeshi Seldon, said she was apprehensive about bringing her daughter to Mongar hospital fearing that she might create a problem in the hospital.

She is hoping the health officials to send her daughter home. “I really don’t remember when was the last time she got medical treatment. I gave up after medicines, within and outside did not cure her.”

Yeshi Seldon said she never thought of bringing her daughter to the hospital again. “My only wish is to have a concrete house with attached toilet for her.”

“If necessary, we will send a psychiatrist to Mongar or refer her to Thimphu,” Dr Ugen Dophu said. He said that it is the health ministry’s mandate to ensure that no one is left out from availing medical services.

However, he said that if the ministry is unable to do so and should organisations or the community come forward to help her, the ministry would provide medical attention.

Tashi Phuntsho | Mongar