Kathmandu, September 25:

The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has demanded a clarification from the Patan Hospital, as to why and how a new mother committed suicide last morning at 1.30 am.

Twenty-one-year-old Amrita Bishwokarma killed herself by jumping off the hospital building in the wee hours of Saturday after she was unable to pay hospital bills for her delivery and the treatment for jaundice, according to the central police news section. She was admitted to

the hospital on September 10 and gave birth to a baby boy on September 11. The baby is in the nursery ward. Police said the case is under investigation.

Dr Harinath Acharya, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) told this daily the Health ministry today issued a notice to Patan Hospital, asking it to explain the cause of Sangita’s suicide at the earliest. “The ministry is concerned as it has been providing enough funds for the hospital to take care of the poor and underprivileged,” said Dr Acharya. According to the Patan Hospital, the government provides it a subsidy of around Rs 15 lakh per year. The ministry has also asked the hospital if the case was a result of post-natal shock.

“The MoHP will decide on the course of action after the hospital’s clarification,” said Dr Acharya.