The Department of Traditional Medicine Services (DTMS) could be reinstated with the health ministry reviewing the decision to downgrade the department to a division in 2023 during the health sector transformation exercise.
After the review, the current division could either be reinstated as a department or considered for transformation, depending on the outcomes, according to Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk.
“We are equally concerned about downgrading the traditional medicine service. It is a part of our national identity and we see potential opportunities for the planned Gelephu Mindfulness City,” the health minister said.
The minister was responding to Khar-Yurung’s Member of Parliament, Sangay Thinley, during the ongoing National Assembly session, who questioned the possibilities or plans to review the DTMS to address the associated issues created due to the transformation.
“The health ministry has initiated a health sector transformation with the objective of improving health services in the country. However, this transformation has drawn significant criticism,” he said.
DTMS, created in 2013, was downgraded to a division under the Department of Health Services after the Royal Civil Service Commission approved the cabinet’s proposal on March 30 last year.
Sangay Thinley also said that the transfer of hospital administrations across the country under the National Medical Service (NMS) as part of the ongoing transformation has caused inconvenience among health workers.
“Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) are now required to oversee the administration and management of the primary healthcare centers in their respective dzongkhags, which has hindered their primary role of providing medical treatment services to the patients,” he said.
Responding to the concerns, Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk said that the health ministry is aware of the issues and is looking into transforming the NMS.
“Considering the inconveniences, we have already initiated research to assess the impact of the transformation,” Lyonpo said. “We will continue to capitalise on the positive aspects and make corrections in areas that require improvement.”
However, he said, it requires time to come to a decision. “It will not be helpful to immediately undo the transformation initiative of the former government that has yet to establish a stable foundation.”
