Caring oneself and the Government
Recently, the government has announced that the influenza vaccine will be made available for every Bhutanese by the end of this year (2020). This has come as one of the greatest pieces of 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 a royal command, we are considering a 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 a Meet the Press in April- BBS
This is aimed at eradicating, or if not, reducing, 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 have been the 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.
Starting next year, every Bhutanese shall get a dose, which will cost the government 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, it's nothing, while for middle-class people, it is the amount spent on data recharge for a week. The amount for underprivileged people can be the shopping amount for half a 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 a few bottles of beer or on recharging our phones in a few days. It is the amount a primary student demands today as pocket money every day. So shall we bear the expenses of Nu 225 on our own? What better time and situation do 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 the freedom to choose to contribute.
This will save some money from the government's coffers, which can be diverted to other important developmental activities. Looking at the present COVID-19 scenario, countries across the globe have diverted their funds to fighting the pandemic while putting a halt to many planned activities, and Bhutan is no exception.
So let us promise to take care of ourselves while helping the government.
PC: Google
"After receiving a royal command, we are considering a 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 a Meet the Press in April- BBS
This is aimed at eradicating, or if not, reducing, 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 have been the best example of this.
| A vaccine to save the Bhutanese. |
The vaccine was introduced in 2019, where it covered the five groups of citizens who were identified as high-risk groups.
Starting next year, every Bhutanese shall get a dose, which will cost the government 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, it's nothing, while for middle-class people, it is the amount spent on data recharge for a week. The amount for underprivileged people can be the shopping amount for half a 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 a few bottles of beer or on recharging our phones in a few days. It is the amount a primary student demands today as pocket money every day. So shall we bear the expenses of Nu 225 on our own? What better time and situation do 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 the freedom to choose to contribute.
This will save some money from the government's coffers, which can be diverted to other important developmental activities. Looking at the present COVID-19 scenario, countries across the globe have diverted their funds to fighting the pandemic while putting a halt to many planned activities, and Bhutan is no exception.
So let us promise to take care of ourselves while helping the government.
PC: Google
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