The Nu 935.24 million project is funded by the Government of India

Neten Dorji

Mongar—The long-awaited Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital, a state-of-the-art healthcare facility at Nadangzor in Mongar, is on track for completion by July 27 this year. 

With 80 percent of the construction finished, the 65-bed hospital will provide specialised services to mothers and children across six eastern dzongkhags, filling a critical gap in the region’s medical infrastructure.

The construction of the hospital, which commenced on December 20, 2021, has made steady progress despite significant challenges, including disrupted cement supplies from Nganglam, water shortages, and repeated collapses of the Kuri-Gongri bridge, which compounded transportation difficulties for raw materials.

“We are on schedule to complete the hospital,” said the project manager, Dorji Rabten. “This facility will not only enhance the healthcare services available to mothers and children in Mongar but also serve as a referral centre for the entire eastern region.”

Once completed, the hospital will include a community health department block, paediatric outpatient department (OPD), obstetrics/gynaecology OPD, diagnostic services, emergency services, maternity and delivery services, operation theatre, neonatal intensive care unit, paediatric ward, and paediatric intensive care unit.

The hospital is designed to accommodate 65 beds, with modern amenities ensuring a comfortable and safe environment for patients and their families. It will be equipped with advanced medical equipment and staffed by trained healthcare professionals specialising in maternal and child health.

Some additional developments and units are being incorporated as per the requirements. “Consulting with the head of the department in Mongar hospital, we have incorporated what is required by the end users,” said the project manager. “There will be no problem for end-users since everything has been incorporated.”

Nikesh Kumar, the site engineer of the construction company, T-Kunzom Private Limited, said there were some challenges in the initial stage. “To complete the project on time, we are hiring 40 to 50 more labourers in addition to the 105 labourers,” he said. “It is likely to be delayed by a few months, but we are trying our best to complete it on time.”

Around Nu 323.77 million has already been spent, which is about 39 percent of the project’s total budget of Nu 822.26 million.

The project is funded by the Government of India at a cost of Nu 935.24 million.

Currently, water supply work, flooring, side development works and among others are still ongoing. Once all physical structures are completed, equipment will be installed by Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Community members are optimistic about the impact the hospital will have on healthcare access and outcomes.

“This hospital will be a game-changer for our community,” said a mother, Sonam Choden. “We will no longer have to travel long distances to access quality maternal and child healthcare.”

She said that when the gynaecologist is on leave, patients are referred to Trashigang hospital. “Sometimes their condition worsens during the journey. Once we have the Mother and Child Hospital, it would save mothers’ and children’s lives,” she said.

Another resident, Tashi Wangmo, 40, from Kurtoe, expressed gratitude to the King for giving the hospital as a gift to the eastern dzongkhags. “After the hospital starts its operations, we won’t need to go to Thimphu. It will prioritise mothers’ needs and bring much-needed relief to families.”

While the two-storey existing guesthouse will be used as a community health department block, three-storey blocks I and two-storey block II will be used for paediatric, obstetrics, gynaecology, emergency, and diagnostics departments as part of the outpatient department, respectively.

The four-storey block III will function as an inpatient department with an operation theatre complex and related services.

While construction is nearing its end, ancillary elements such as signage, furniture, and kitchen equipment remain to be tendered by the Ministry of Health.

The hospital is expected to be fully operational by September, offering advanced medical services that promise to improve maternal and child health outcomes across eastern Bhutan.

“This facility will be a cornerstone of our healthcare system,” said the project manager, Dorji Rabten.