BAJURA, DECEMBER 4

He was discharged by the hospital a few days ago, but Min Bahadur Shahi of Bajura can't go home yet because of his inability to pay the hospital bill.

Kidney patient, Shahi, a resident of Jokot, Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality, had been admitted to Kailali's Dhangadi-based Nisarga Hospital and Research Centre for treatment. After seven days' treatment, he was discharged four days ago. However, due to his inability to pay his treatment expenses that amounted to Rs 51,000, he has been detained at the hospital.

'The hospital had told me to go home after giving medicine and telling me to come again after one month for operation, but I didn't have money to foot the bill of 51,000 rupees, so I couldn't leave without paying the money,' a sobbing Min Bahadur said.

Min Bahadur's relative Devendra Shahi said Min Bahadur has been a long-time kidney patient and is from a poor economic background. 'His is from a family that is struggling to survive with no one at home other than his old parents under his care. His condition has further added to their woes,' said the relative.

'It wasn't long that he had been taken to the hospital the first time and brought back home after spending around Rs 100,000. As he complained of problem again, he was taken to the hospital again and admitted there,' said Devendra Shahi, adding that doctors had said Min Bahadur had stones in both his kidneys and needed to undergo surgery. According to Kuber Bahadur Shahi, Min Bahadur's kin, doctors have said Min Bahadur needs to have an operation soon.

'Doctors have said one of his kidneys is already functioning only partially and warned that it would stop working altogether unless the operation was conducted soon,' he added.

A version of this article appears in the print on December 5, 2021 of The Himalayan Times.