A total of 8 Oral Questions and 2 written questions were tabled in the Question Hours today to the Health Minister and the Education Minister.  Questions concerning the plan and strategies to prevent the issue of low population growth rate in the country, dialysis facility for renal failure patients in Trashigang Hospital, plans to provide a female health assistant in Jangphu sub-post, reasons for relocation of the Dental Department to Taba from JDWNRH and the status of the maternity allowance were put to the Minister for Health. The Minister for Education was questioned on the Ministry’s procedures and criteria for managing out the teachers, the ministry’s plan to deal with the issues of lack of facilitators in the ECCD centers in Haa Dzongkhag, and the plans and policies of the Ministry for Sherabgatshel Lower Secondary School.

In response to the Ministry’s plan to prevent the issues related to the low population growth rate in the country, the Minister for Health submitted that it should be a collective responsibility of all the relevant sectors. On the Health side, she reported that intrauterine insemination services have been started at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital and that it also plans to start in vitro fertilization and infertility services. She further added that an enabling policy was adopted, where the working women and their family members were being supported during their pre and post-natal. On the provision of a dialysis facility for renal failure patients in Trashigang Hospital, the Minister replied it was not possible as of now due to the limited both human resource and capital, but reported that the dialysis facility has been increased to 7 centers as of now. Regarding the plans to provide a female health assistant in the Jangphu sub-post, the Minister stated that a sub-post is entitled just one staff member. Even though it was an issue, services should be sought and the community should be empowered to seek services regardless of the gender of the service provider. On the reasons for the relocation of the Dental Department to Taba from JDWNRH, the Minister reported that the plan is to establish a consolidated dental institute where all the services related to dental will be provided.

The Education Minister, responding to the question on procedures and criteria for managing out teachers, informed that there has been resignation based on contract agreement. The Minister said that, in discussion with relevant officials regarding the issue, he was informed that the Ministry is currently working on the recruitment of permanent teachers and that opportunities will also be provided for contract teachers to apply once the exercise is completed. On the issue of the lack of a facilitator in the ECCD centers in Haa Dzongkhag, the Minister replied that with collaboration with the Royal Civil Service Commission there are plans to provide adequate facilitators beginning next academic year. With regard to  Sherabgatshel Lower Secondary School, the Minister informed that there have been discussions and preparations to upgrade the school to a Higher Secondary School. The primary classes would then be relocated to identified schools in collaboration with the Local Government. 

Question Hours are conducted every Tuesday and Friday morning.