BAJURA, MARCH 15
Health services at Kolti Basic Hospital in Bajura have improved significantly in recent years, with better infrastructure, equipment management, and availability of health workers making medical care more accessible for local residents.
Located in Budhinanda Municipality–2 in the eastern northern part of the district, the hospital has undergone gradual upgrades that have enhanced the effectiveness of its services.
Local resident Mahesh Karki said the hospital, which once struggled to provide even basic services, has now begun delivering more reliable healthcare to people in the area.
Previously, the hospital operated mainly under the supervision of a health assistant, and residents had to travel outside the district even for routine medical check-ups. Patients from the region were often forced to seek treatment at District Hospital Martadi, Dhangadhi, Nepalgunj, and other cities.
However, improvements in recent years, including expansion of physical infrastructure, availability of medical equipment, and deployment of doctors, have transformed the hospital into a more functional healthcare facility in the remote region.
According to Prem Nepali, information officer at Kolti Hospital, the facility currently provides a range of services including outpatient (OPD) care, eye treatment, thyroid services, dental care, laboratory tests, digital X-ray, ultrasound services, emergency care, pharmacy services, and maternity care.
The hospital receives more than 100 patients on Sundays and Fridays, while around 50–60 patients visit daily on other days, he said.
The provincial government had earlier announced plans through its policy and programme to develop Kolti as a basic hospital. Although the hospital has been upgraded to a 15-bed facility, Budhinanda Municipality has been managing operational costs due to the lack of sufficient budget and human resources from higher authorities.
Budhinanda Municipality Mayor Janak Kumar Bohora, who also chairs the hospital management committee, said the hospital has become a major healthcare center for residents of four local governments in the region as well as people from neighboring districts.
He added that efforts are underway to further upgrade the hospital and introduce specialized services.
Currently, the hospital has 31 health workers, including specialist Dr. Ranjit Shah. According to hospital officials, patients from neighboring districts such as Humla, Mugu, and Kalikot also visit the facility for treatment.
Dr. Shah said the hospital has been gaining the trust of patients due to improved service quality. He added that the municipality has recently focused on expanding facilities, improving infrastructure, and enhancing the quality of healthcare services.