𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐡𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝

…𝑷𝒉𝒖𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒅𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝑵𝒖. 35 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒈𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆

By Lhendup Wangmo

The growing demand for healthcare services in Pasakha, Phuentsholing, has made the establishment of a hospital in the area increasingly essential. Recognizing this pressing need, Phuentsholing Thromde has allocated Nu. 35 million in the 13th Five-Year Plan to fund the construction of the much-needed healthcare facility. The thromde has already commenced the design and estimation work for the hospital, which is expected to serve residents and workers of the Pasakha Industrial Estate, as well as villages in Sampheling Gewog. This new facility will significantly improve access to healthcare services and support the overall well-being of the local community.

Although there is a primary healthcare center in Rangaytung, located just 15 kilometers from Pasakha, many local residents rarely use it due to its remote location and inadequate road conditions. As a result, most people must travel an additional 15 kilometers to reach the Phuentsholing General Hospital, covering a total distance of nearly 20 kilometers. This extended travel time has raised concerns about the accessibility and effectiveness of healthcare services for the community.

Ram Kumar Rai, Gup of Sampheling Gewog, expressed the urgent need for a hospital in Pasakha due to the lack of advanced medical resources at the area’s satellite clinic. While there is a healthcare facility, it does not have the necessary equipment to meet the growing healthcare demands of the population.

“We have a satellite clinic, but we don’t have advanced materials. It is very important to have a hospital here,” said Rai. He added, “If there is a hospital here, it will help not only the people of Sampheling Gewog but everyone in the area.”
Local residents and leaders are calling for better healthcare infrastructure to ease the travel burden and ensure access to essential services for the community. The need for a hospital in Pasakha has been critical for a long time, according to Phuentsholing Thrompon Uttar Kumar Rai. He pointed out that Pasakha, which hosts the country’s largest industrial estate and several urban and rural settlements, lacks adequate health facilities. This shortage creates serious challenges, particularly during the summer months when road blockages affect access to healthcare.

“The need for a hospital in Pasakha has been critical for a long time. Currently, Pasakha lacks adequate health facilities, and during the summer, when road blockages occur, the public faces severe challenges, especially in health emergencies,” said Uttar Kumar Rai. “Pasakha is home to the country’s largest industrial estate, along with several urban and rural settlements, making access to healthcare essential.”

Plans for a Thromde Health Center in Pasakha have been in place for some time, with a 13,090 square foot land area secured for the project. However, due to funding issues and resource constraints, construction has not yet begun. Rai explained that block grants, the primary funding source allocated to the region, have not been sufficient to cover the costs of the health center.

“There was no allocated budget specifically earmarked for the construction of the Thromde Health Center in previous financial years. If such funds had been available, we would have already commenced construction, recognizing the dire need for this facility,” he added.

The outbreak of COVID-19 further delayed the project, as resources were redirected to pandemic management. The country’s economic setbacks post-pandemic also made it difficult for Phuentsholing Thromde to move forward with construction plans.

However, with the central government’s commitment through the 13th Five-Year Plan (13FYP), Phuentsholing Thromde has now allocated Nu. 35 million for the construction of a 10-bedded health center in Pasakha. The center will serve not only Pasakha residents but also nearby areas such as Pekarzhing, Ahalay, Chumithang, and other rural villages.
“Currently, the technical design for the health center is being carried out in-house. Construction is planned to begin in the next financial year, with an expected completion time of one and a half years,” said Uttar Kumar Rai.

Uttar Kumar Rai also addressed some of the challenges faced in the development of health facilities in Pasakha. The first issue was the incomplete Pasakha Local Area Plan (LAP), which delayed the start of construction. Following the completion of the LAP, funding shortages further hindered progress.

“The outbreak of COVID-19 diverted attention and resources towards pandemic management, leaving little room for the development of health infrastructure,” he explained. “Post-pandemic, the country faced economic setbacks, which further delayed the construction of health facilities.”

With the allocation of funds under the 13FYP, the construction of the Thromde Health Center is now moving forward. Once completed, the health center will provide much-needed healthcare services to Pasakha’s residents, industrial workers, and surrounding communities.

“The construction of the 10-bedded health center is set to begin next year. Phuentsholing Thromde remains committed to fulfilling this essential need,” said Uttar Kumar Rai.

Ganesh Pasakha Tshogpa shared the difficulties faced by residents in accessing healthcare. He explained, “Travelling to the Rangaytung Healthcare Centre is a significant challenge. It’s hard to find a vehicle, and even if one is available, the road conditions are poor, and the cost of travel makes it unaffordable for low-income people.” Despite the existence of a Primary Healthcare Centre in Rangaytung, located approximately 15 kilometers from Pasakha, the facility remains underutilized due to its remote location and challenging road conditions.

As the population in Pasakha continues to grow, local residents are voicing their concerns over the lack of nearby healthcare facilities. For many in the area, the absence of a hospital means traveling long distances to receive medical care, with Phuentsholing being the nearest city offering full healthcare services. This has become increasingly inconvenient, especially for those who face urgent medical needs or require specialized care.

Purna Bdr Ghalley, a 38-year-old resident of Pasakha, expressed the urgent need for a hospital in the area. “Due to the increasing population, we are in desperate need of a hospital,” Purna Bdr Ghalley stated. “A local healthcare facility would greatly benefit us, as we would not have to travel all the way to Phuentsholing for treatment. This would save us time, resources, and ensure faster medical attention.”

Pasakha, once a smaller and quieter town, has seen significant growth in recent years, with an influx of families and workers. However, with this rapid growth, the infrastructure, particularly in terms of healthcare, has not kept pace. Many residents now find themselves facing long journeys to reach Phuentsholing’s hospital, which can take over 20 kilometers by car. For those with limited transportation options or in urgent situations, this is a major barrier to accessing timely care.

“Every time someone in my family gets sick or needs medical help, it’s a struggle to get to Phuentsholing in time,” said another local resident, Bhupendhar Ghalley. “It would be such a relief to have a hospital closer to home. It’s a basic need that we should not have to wait for.”

The lack of a nearby healthcare facility is not only inconvenient but also a safety concern for the growing community. In addition to emergency medical situations, Pasakha residents often need regular check-ups, vaccinations, and treatments that require long journeys to reach the nearest medical center. This has been particularly challenging for elderly citizens, parents with young children, and those with chronic health conditions.

Community leaders and residents are calling on the relevant authorities to consider the establishment of a hospital in Pasakha to cater to the growing population’s healthcare needs. They argue that such a development would greatly improve the quality of life, ensure faster access to medical care, and alleviate the strain on the healthcare system in nearby Phuentsholing.

“The population of Pasakha is increasing rapidly, and our healthcare infrastructure needs to reflect that,” said Purna Bdr Ghalley. “A hospital here would not only make things easier for us, but it would also improve overall health outcomes for the community. We are hopeful that the authorities will take this need seriously and prioritize this project.”
Community leaders and health experts have also weighed in on the matter, noting that a local hospital would help alleviate the pressure on the healthcare system in Phuentsholing, especially as the population continues to rise. They have urged the government to prioritize healthcare infrastructure in growing towns like Pasakha to prevent a potential crisis in the future.

Pasakha is home to two chiwogs of the Thromde, local industries, and Sampheling Gewog, with a combined population of about 5,000 people. These residents are currently required to travel over 20 kilometers to Phuentsholing for medical treatment.

As Pasakha’s population continues to expand, residents are hopeful that their plea for better healthcare infrastructure will be heard, ensuring a healthier and more sustainable future for the community.