Key Takeaways:

• 10-bed hospital built for Rs 138.49M now operational in Gaumul
• Facility completed Jan 2025 but delayed by electricity, staffing, medicines
• No medical officer yet recruited; planned staff strength is 22
• Expected to reduce need for residents to travel to Martadi or Dhangadhi

BAJURA, AAUGUST 20 A 10-bed hospital built at a cost of Rs 138.49 million has finally started operating in remote Gaumul Rural Municipality of Bajura, about 18 months after its construction was completed. The hospital at Maliban in Gaumul-2 was handed over to the rural municipality in January 2025, after the contractor took nearly four years to complete the project. The facility was awarded to PS Royal JV, Dhangadhi, in March 2021 for Rs 138.49 million. However, the facility remained out of operation due to delays in electricity, medicines, equipment and staffing. The rural municipality has now begun providing limited services after arranging the necessary equipment, medicines and available health workers. However, it has yet to secure a medical officer, despite efforts to recruit one. 'We looked extensively, but could not find one immediately. Some doctors we contacted also declined to join,' rural municipality chairman Hari Bahadur Rokaya said. He said the municipality plans to expand services as additional staff and equipment become available. The hospital is planned to have 22 employees, including two MBBS doctors. The new hospital is expected to reduce the need for residents to travel to district headquarters Martadi or as far as Dhangadhi for services beyond basic check-ups and treatment. 'People previously had to travel outside the municipality even for treatment that was not available at the local health post. For residents of remote areas, this meant spending considerable time and money,' vice-chairperson Sita Thapa said. She said the municipality aims to bring in specialist doctors and additional equipment to provide more comprehensive services locally. Gaumul is now the second of Bajura's nine local levels to operate a 10-bed hospital. Jagannath Rural Municipality was the first, beginning operations in March 2024. The federal government launched the 'one local level, one hospital' programme in 2020 to expand access to basic healthcare in underserved areas. Buildings have also been completed in Badimalika Municipality, but the facility has yet to begin operations, while hospitals in other local levels remain under construction.