COUNTRY BACKGROUND - Gross National Happiness Commission

Health Services
IV. Health Sector Programmes for the 7FYPIV. Health Sector Programmes for the 7FYP
Expansion of Health InfrastructureExpansion of Health Infrastructure
Outreach ClinicsOutreach Clinics
13.29 Outreach clinics have contributed to the success of such programmes as the expanded programmes of
immunization in 1990. As the benefits of these clinics can be easily perceived, communities will be encouraged to
provide the necessary accommodation for the outreach clinics. The Department will support this local initiative by
providing roofing materials and tax free timber. Such support will be extended wherever the community is willing
to construct clinic space.
Basic Health UnitsBasic Health Units
13.30 Only about 40% of the existing BHUs are fully staffed. Some Basic Health Units need renovation. In view
of the staffing and financial resource constraints, only 22 new BHUs will be constructed and 2 relocated and
reconstructed. In addition, 6 Grade II Basic Health Units and 1 dispensary will be upgraded to Grade I Basic Health
Units and 21 dispensaries will be upgraded to Grade II Basic Health Units.
HospitalsHospitals
13.31 Investments will be made to the extent justified by use of the population in hospitals and curative services.
The hospitals will be located to act as referral hospitals for several districts and will be within easy access from
various settlements. The National Referral Hospital will be renovated. Regional hospitals will be built in Damphu
and Kanglung, subject to the availability of funds. The Kanglung Regional Hospital will have 150 beds, while the
present District Hospital in Damphu will be expanded from 20 beds at present to 100 beds. Lhuntsi and Paro
District Hospitals will be completely rebuilt. Yelilepcha hospital will be expanded from 20 bed capacity to 40 beds.
The construction of Pema Gatshel and Riserboo hospitals is underway and the construction will be completed as
spillover work on 7FYP. Sarbhang district hospital will be renovated.
Disease Control ProgrammesDisease Control Programmes
Acute Respiratory DiseaseAcute Respiratory Disease
13.32 Respiratory diseases are a major cause of morbidity and constitute approximately 20% of all cases in Basic
Health Units. Control of acute respiratory diseases such as pneumonia will reduce the infant mortality rate. Three
major approaches will be followed to control acute respiratory diseases. Firstly, training and guidelines will be
provided on the management of acute respiratory diseases. Secondly, mothers will be sensitized about homecare
and early recognition of sign of pneumonia. Thirdly, immunization against pertussis, diphtheria and measles will be
intensified.
Diarrhoeal DiseasesDiarrhoeal Diseases
13.33 After acute respiratory diseases, diarrhoeal disease is the second largest cause of morbidity. Approximately
40% of deaths of children under five are caused by diarrhoea and 15% of all patient seen in health centres in 1989
suffered from diarrhoeal diseases. To reduce the incidence of this disease, access to safe drinking water and
sanitary disposal of human excreta is vitally important. Besides the promotion of sanitation, training of mothers in
home management, nutrition and other diarrhoea related problems will be stressed. Oral Rehydration Treatment
corners will be established in all hospitals and Basic Health Units.
TuberculosisTuberculosis
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