Authorities tighten measures as hospitals face shortages; federal and provincial support mobilized
KATHMANDU, AUGUST 25
Cholera, which first broke out in Birgunj, has now spread to the community level, with 79 confirmed cases reported as of Monday morning, according to the Health Office Parsa. The source of the outbreak is still unknown, though water samples have been collected for further testing by the World Health Organization.
Hospitals in Birgunj, including Narayani Hospital, are struggling to cope as patient numbers rise amid shortages of beds and medical staff. Cholera cases have been recorded across several institutions, with Narayani Hospital reporting 26 patients, Terai Hospital 25, and others smaller numbers. Alongside cholera, cases of fever and snakebites are also on the rise, further straining limited resources.
Narayani Hospital spokesperson Dr. Uday Narayan Singh warned that the rising patient load has led to a shortage of beds and medical staff. "The hospital is overwhelmed not only with cholera cases but also with snakebite and fever patients. Institutional support has yet to arrive," he said.
In response, a meeting of the District Health Crisis Management Committee has decided not to grant leave to health workers except in urgent cases and to deploy staff from local levels in a centralized manner. Provincial Health Minister Satrudhan Prasad Singh, who attended the meeting, said federal and provincial governments will provide technical assistance, while local authorities investigate the source of infection.
Meanwhile, the central security committee chaired by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has directed the mobilization of medical teams in cholera-hit areas, with the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force instructed to support the response. Health Minister Pradip Paudel and Drinking Water Minister Pradip Yadav have also held discussions on immediate control measures. Authorities have announced that cholera patients will receive free treatment in both public and private hospitals.
(With inputs from RSS)
