Update on Clinical Use of Blood.

A half day session on Appropriate clinical use of blood was organized today. It covered all aspects of blood transfusion related topics covering major specialties. A prolonged discussion followed on some of the practical aspects faced in the hospital from time to time.

A working lunch was served, funded by the DMS.

Check this out!

http://www.bhutanobserver.bt/%e2%80%9cdangerous%e2%80%9d-indigenous-healers-thrive-despite-modern-hospitals/

Eye Camp

Dr Dechen, Eye Specialist and Pediatric Ophthalmologist from JDWNRH, Thimphu is currently stationed at Mongar for the eye camp. Lot of patients are availing the services at the moment. OPDs appeared packed for the last few days. A group of visually handicapped students from Khaling have also been brought in for operation.  I also took the opportunity to screen them for congenital heart diseases.

Meet to discuss Under five deaths

Following  the concerns raised during the recent Mid Term Review Meeting   and upon the high command of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and subsequent directives from the GNH Commission, the health sector of the Dzongkhag formed a committee to study the detailed deaths reported in the  year 2009. The committee consisting of the following relevant people met on 25^th March and discussed in detail the issues and concerns pertaining to the  high reported child mortality in the district.

1. Dr Tapas Gurung, Medical Superintendent ,MRRH.
2. Mr Tsering Dorji, DHSO , Mongar Dzongkhag
3. Dr P. Bhandari, Child Specialist, MRRH
4. Dr Sonam Gyamtsho, Gynecologist, MRRH
5. Mr Kuenzang Thinley, Focal Person, Emergency Obstretic Care.
6. Hem Kumar Nepal, In-charge, Neonatal ICU

Under five mortality for 2009 was 34/1000 Livebirths , which is the fifth highest in the country. Gasa, Lhuntse, Wangdue and Trashigang have mortality rates higher than Mongar. A report to the same effect is being prepared.

Briefing on Acute Encephalitis Surveillance

A brief awareness on the above subject was recently conducted at MRRH and Samdrupjongkhar hospitals as part of the initiation of  Encephalitis Surveillance in the country. Five hospitals including JDW Gelephu and Phuntsholing apart from the above two are in the list. This is to gather the prevailing scenario of Meningoencephalitis cases prior to the re-introduction of the Pentavalent vaccine later this year or early next year.

Post Graduate slots

Please check this link...may be of interest to doctors and nurses!

http://www.health.gov.bt/announcement.php

Super-speciality services at MRRH

Although it will be decades before MRRH will have the so called super-specialists, some of such facility is already available and being done with whatever expertise available. In my personnel opinion, MRRH does much more than its mandate: Examples:

• Dialysis: ideally a Nephrologist required, but being succesfully done by the Medical specialist and the dialysis team of nurses.
• Endoscopy: Ideally a Gastro-enterologist required, but again being done by the Medical specialist. 
• Echocardiography:Job of a Cardiologist! but done by medical and child specialist here!
• Neonatal  Intensive Care:Job of a Neonatologist, but being managed by Pediatrician and NICU team of nurses.

The picture shows endoscopy being performed at MRRH.