Dhangadhi, November 1

The Intensive Care Unit at Seti Zonal Hospital has yet to come into operation although it was supposed to start its services from mid-April. The locals of far-west, who were elated after construction of the only ICU facility in the region, have been disappointed as a result.

Chief District Officer Mohan Chapagain said he has already directed medical superintendent at the hospital, Dr Ganesh Bahadur Singh, to launch the service.

According to Singh, seven health workers have returned after taking necessary training from Kathmandu for operation of ICU service. He, however, said that the launch of the service is being delayed as the main equipment of the unit had not yet been installed.

“A technical team is soon arriving from Kathmandu to install the equipment. Once the equipment is installed, the unit will start providing its services,” he added. He also said that the hospital would require trained manpower.

Kailai Chambers of Commerce had launched a donation campaign to collect funds for the construction of the ICU unit at the hospital.

Traders, industrialists, schools, locals had contributed funds for the construction of the unit at the hospital. In lack of ICU services in hospitals in the region, patients are compelled to visit Nepalgunj, Kathmandu and other cities in Nepal and India for treatment.