After the outpouring of support on social media, uniting to seek complete details and clarification on this tragedy, Hon. Prime Minister of Bhutan has posted a ‘post’ on his Facebook page right now; providing a little more details to this situation that is so close to all our hearts.
This is his post.
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With prayers for Sonam
It is reassuring to know that many on social media have joined to pray for Sonam Tamang, the 27-year-old from Tsirang, who is lying in the hospital in Fukuoka in Japan.
For us in the government, ever since we learnt about her, we have never stopped working towards improving the situation. In the wake of many views expressed on social media, with due respect to Sonam and her family, I would like to share my thoughts.
We got to know Sonam as an endearing woman, a hard-working student who was also doing well at her work in Japan.
Since September last year, Sonam is on ventilator. For now, the equipment is sustaining her life. Our priority is Sonam and it is in her interest, and the family’s, that she be kept in the hospital that ensures best facilities.
For information, Japanese medico-legal system will take its due course to complete the formalities to decide on her “brain-dead” status and we have no role in this legal, decision-making process.
Many of us, including the parliament representative of Sonam’s constituency, also suggested bringing her back to Bhutan. Given her condition, commercial plane was not an option. She needs to be flown back on a fully equipped air ambulance, with a team of medical experts.
It will cost a few million dollars but as long as that will bring Sonam back to life, this is not an issue for the government. We will go all out to put the money together.
However, in the process of moving her from Fukuoka to Thimphu, if her condition alters or if her heart stops, what happens? Is it wise to move her from the best of medical facilities? Even if we transfer her to an ICU here, will our health facility be able to sustain her life? If not, who will be responsible?
When Sonam could not be brought home, the option was to send her family members there. In September and October last year, the labour ministry sent her two brothers to Japan. Government bore the airfare, accommodation, local transport and food expenses. The labour ministry also tried to get one of the brothers employed in Japan so that he could stay close to his sister. But stringent laws and language incompetency made it impossible.
After returning from Japan in April this year, the Minister of Labour and Human Resources made arrangements to send her mother as well. It only made sense for a mother to see her ailing daughter.
Given the fact that the mother did not have proper documents, and the numerous complications it posed, the ministry in close consultation with Bhutanese and Japanese embassies in Delhi invested extra efforts to make it possible for the mother to travel.
For now, the mother and the brother who accompanied have a visa valid for 30 days. Ministry is also providing 20 days daily allowance. Despite the challenges, government has given assurances to facilitate visa extension, should they wish to stay back for a longer period.
In all this, the government is also bearing 30 percent of her medical expenses and other additional costs of her hospitalisation. The rest is covered by Sonam’s medical insurance in Japan. And unless there is significant turn of event, government, as opposed to some views, has no intention of discontinuing that. As much as anyone else, we hope for a miracle.
As a father of a daughter myself, my heart bleeds to see those images and learn about such unpleasant details. But at the same time, as a doctor and as a prime minister, I cannot be consumed by emotions that will fog my judgement.
I respect the views and concerns on social media, which goes to show that in this small country, we can lean on each other. As you exercise the freedom of expression, I have no doubt you would have based them on logic and reasoning because ultimately, we are all answerable to Sonam Tamang.
Lastly, I would like to assure you that the government has never given up on Sonam. I have always been motivated by compassion and kindness, and have spent all my life trying to save lives as far as possible. When I am so passionate about this, how is it even possible to brush aside Sonam’s case?
I am in constant touch with the treating physician and should any of the concerned individuals seek to inquire for themselves, we are happy to share the contact details. We know that any Bhutanese, anywhere in the world, is our responsibility.
Dr Lotay Tshering
Prime Minister
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This is is what I commented on behalf of the ‘signers united’ team for this petition.
Thank you for this post. I’m part of The Bhutanese Archivist currently managing the petition ‘Let’s Bring Sonam Tamang Home’ on change.org started around midnight last night.
As of writing this, we have 1,170 signers and increasing by a signer every second on the live numbers as of now.
One of our highlights and concerns was how we as fellow citizens needed a comprehensive ‘announcement’ and details of this tragedy. And more importantly, how such an issue might be handled henceforth.
As sensitive as it is, some of us feel that Sonam’s family and the rest of us deserve to know what would be the measures in place if we have to keep Sonam on ‘life support’ indefinitely.
We’d also like to know if such a medical issue arose within the county, what are the possible outcomes?
‘Brain dead’ sounds dim and if Sonam is indeed ‘medically’ declared as ‘brain dead’, what are the options for the family to keep her on life support even after and if such a scenario is possible in Bhutanese Healthcare Rights?
Does a ‘brain dead’ certification mean she’s beyond the point or chance of ever recovering, even if the chances are under 0.5%?
Do we as a nation have the facilities and rights to sustain and provide life support for a coma patient indefinitely? Do we have in place legal rights to determine who ‘decides’ to pull us off life support before we face such a plight?
These are the matters that Sonam Tamang’s tragedies have us as fellow citizens concerned about. And if needed, would she be kept on ‘indefinite’ life support in Japan if the issue of bringing her back is this grim?
As parents, we can learn from another child’s tragedy and ensure that no other parent or family has to face such a heartbreaking tragedy and choices in our lives.
Every sign the petition receives was enabled to it ‘emailed’ to the PA of The Health Minister. We wanted to include The Foreign and Labor Ministries as well but couldn’t find their emails.
At a time like this, even the slights ‘report and announcement’ on the matter makes us as citizens, more aware, informed and prepare to take measures to address such tragedies competently henceforth.
We will try to meeting discuss with the mentioned ministries and the PMO to ensure we can keep the concerned family members and fellow citizens in the know and at ease regarding this.
Thank you.