Samtse: Child’s Death Sparks Concern Over Rural Healthcare
Samtse — The death of a class PP student at Tashicholing Hospital on October 20 has raised serious concerns about the state of rural healthcare in Bhutan.
Family members alleged that the child died due to delayed treatment, claiming that no doctor was available when they reached the hospital. The child, who had fallen ill the previous evening, reportedly waited for nearly 45 minutes before any medical action could be taken.
Health Minister Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk expressed condolences and said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of death. He explained that staffing shortages had affected Tashicholing Hospital — one doctor was away for training, another had resigned, and the third was on medical leave.
The minister added that by the time the child arrived, the condition was already critical despite efforts to arrange a helicopter evacuation.
Tashicholing Hospital, inaugurated only months ago, serves over 27,000 people from five gewogs in Samtse.
Source: [Official and family statements compiled from local reports]
