Caring oneself and the Government
Recently, the government has announced that influenza vaccine will be made available for every Bhutanese by the end of this year (2020). This has come as one of greatest news for the people in this modern time when new diseases emerge every other year. The world, it seems, will succumb to the new diseases if measures are not put in.
"After receiving Royal command, we are considering flu vaccine for everyone from next year onward. Because ordinary flu will complicate or mix with other flu-like symptoms like in the present case, it is COVID-19. That is why the Health Ministry is working towards providing the service from next year," said Dr Lotay Tshering, the Prime Minister during the a Meet the press in April- BBS
This is aimed to eradicate or if not reduce the number of people getting infected by influenza. On the other hand many diseases have similar symptoms like the influenza and recently COVID-19 symptoms has been best example of this.
The vaccine was introduced in 2019 where it covered the five groups of citizens who were identified as high-risk groups.
Come next year, every Bhutanese shall get a dose which will cost the government coffin more than Nu 113 million. Each dose of the vaccine is expected to cost Nu 225. Now the question is how much is Nu 225? For high class people, its nothing while for middle class people, it is the amount spent on data recharge for a week. The amount for the underprivileged people can be the shopping amount for half week but the point to ponder here is, how costly is Nu 225?
Nu 225 is nothing for most of us but Nu 225 for every citizen of the nation can be too much for the government. We spend Nu 225 for few bottles of beer or for recharging our phones in few days. It is the amount a primary student demands today as pocket money everyday. So shall we bear the expenses of Nu 225 on our own? What best time and situation can we have to do something for ourselves, because the vaccine is for our own benefit. Shall we promise ourselves to bear the cost of the dose and if we can, for our family.
On the other hand, I feel the government should also allow people to pay for their own dose. I am sure there will be a good number of people who will be more than happy to bear the expenses. I know some people will argue saying that the constitution has assured free medical care for all the people, but I think people shall also be given freedom to choose to contribute.
This will save some money from the government's coffin which can be diverted to other important developmental activities. Looking at the present COVID-19 scenario, countries across the globe has diverted their fund in fighting the pandemic while putting halt to many planned activities and Bhutan is no exception.
So let us promise to care ourselves while helping the government.
PC: Google
"After receiving Royal command, we are considering flu vaccine for everyone from next year onward. Because ordinary flu will complicate or mix with other flu-like symptoms like in the present case, it is COVID-19. That is why the Health Ministry is working towards providing the service from next year," said Dr Lotay Tshering, the Prime Minister during the a Meet the press in April- BBS
This is aimed to eradicate or if not reduce the number of people getting infected by influenza. On the other hand many diseases have similar symptoms like the influenza and recently COVID-19 symptoms has been best example of this.
 |
| A vaccine to save the Bhutanese. |
Come next year, every Bhutanese shall get a dose which will cost the government coffin more than Nu 113 million. Each dose of the vaccine is expected to cost Nu 225. Now the question is how much is Nu 225? For high class people, its nothing while for middle class people, it is the amount spent on data recharge for a week. The amount for the underprivileged people can be the shopping amount for half week but the point to ponder here is, how costly is Nu 225?
Nu 225 is nothing for most of us but Nu 225 for every citizen of the nation can be too much for the government. We spend Nu 225 for few bottles of beer or for recharging our phones in few days. It is the amount a primary student demands today as pocket money everyday. So shall we bear the expenses of Nu 225 on our own? What best time and situation can we have to do something for ourselves, because the vaccine is for our own benefit. Shall we promise ourselves to bear the cost of the dose and if we can, for our family.
On the other hand, I feel the government should also allow people to pay for their own dose. I am sure there will be a good number of people who will be more than happy to bear the expenses. I know some people will argue saying that the constitution has assured free medical care for all the people, but I think people shall also be given freedom to choose to contribute.
This will save some money from the government's coffin which can be diverted to other important developmental activities. Looking at the present COVID-19 scenario, countries across the globe has diverted their fund in fighting the pandemic while putting halt to many planned activities and Bhutan is no exception.
So let us promise to care ourselves while helping the government.
PC: Google
Comments
Post a Comment