The Bhutanese people are blessed with free medical service. The Government’s pledge to reach vital medical services to the doorsteps mainly focuses on elderly citizens and disadvantaged people who cannot avail the services from the service centers. In line with the nation's vision and mission of free and efficient medical services, medical staff are in full swing to cover the annual health check-up in schools and villages in every nook and corner of the country.
This health check-up campaign is a great opportunity to help the local people and the health staff are keenly taking part to take the service to people and not the other way round. Visiting different places and schools, meeting different people and students, experiencing different journeys, and creating different memories are quite a different and satisfying experience than the normal practice. With the development activities that are taking place across the country, road connectivity and electrification of most of the places and schools are complete. Yet, some places are still to be touched by the forces of modernization. To reach such places and schools are very challenging and at the same time quite adventurous. Climbing hills and crossing valleys through dense woods for hours after hours was a thrilling experience.
We walked under the scorching sun sweating and dehydrating, which are draining. Female staff complained of leg pain, mentally and physically exhausted, reluctant to take a single stride forward was a bit worrisome to the group but nothing could hold back the dedication for the mission.
Some staff kept bet among themselves to see who could walk the whole journey without complaints. Scared of losing the bet, some did not complain at all despite the hardship they faced along the tiring journey. Walking in heavy rain was another challenge totally. Leeches were eagerly waiting on the way, hanging from the leaves on either side of the path. Some staff were seeing it for the first time in their life and screamed for help. They were very scared of the slippery and sticky leeches, which wouldn’t come off their skin very easily. Others made fun of the friends who were scared of such a soft and little, boneless creature.
Preparing meals by ourselves after tiring journeys and sleepless nights in hot and humid weather, sacrificing our body to many mites and insects was a challenging experience. Nevertheless, besides the challenges, overall journey was wonderful with like-minded and a cooperative group.
Despite all the hardships and challenges, we ended the 2019 health check-up campaign with lots of wonderful memories and great smiles on our faces.
