Rajbiraj, August 14 Chairperson of Parliamentary Committee on Women, Children, Elderly and Social Welfare Ranju Jha today assured she would take the initiative to upgrade the service at Rajbiraj-based Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital through the concerned ministry. At a press meet organised in Rajbiraj, Jha, who came to inspect flood-affected areas in Saptari, assured she would work to improve the condition of the zonal hospital. Jha stated that her committee would take the initiative to address the locals’ grievances about lack of credible service at the health facility. Jha said locals told her that the zonal hospital was working as a referral centre. “Around 15 to 20 years back, the hospital was providing good service. But, I feel the service quality has worsened at the hospital,” Jha added. Jha informed that the hospital would be provided an ambulance within a month at her initiative. “I shall also work to provide other facilities including ultra sound,” Jha said. The posts of doctors going vacant in proportion to the quotas have been affecting treatment. Around 150 patients visit the hospital every day. However, posts for eighteen doctors have not been filled for a long time. According to a hospital source, the posts of medical superintendent, gynaecologist, among others, have been lying vacant. The hospital currently has four medical doctors. Acting Medical Superintendent Dr Dilip Kumar Sah admitted that due to lack of manpower and necessary equipment many patients had to be referred to Dharan, Biratnagar, and Kathmandu. “Though we are doing our best to provide the best service, we have no alternative but to refer patients to other places,” Sah added.