Hetauda, May 18:

Abortion services have been hit in Hetauda Hospital since two months after the transfer of the only doctor Sanjeev Singh there. no other doctor has come to replaced him.

According to law, a woman pregnant up to one week has the right to abort the child. Abortion service started in Hetauda Hospital August last. Fifty-four women from Hetauda and the vicinity areas availed of the service till February. After that, things are in limbo.

Despite requests no doctor is available, said administrative officer at the District Health Office, Raj Kumar Pokhrel. The government decided to convert Hetauda hospital into a central regional hospital, but people have to go other hospitals even for minor treatment. Patients are not getting qualitative treatment. The posts of medical officers for child diseases and gynaecology is also vacant.

The four primary health centres in the district are also lacking in the required number of health workers. The health centres at Manahari, Bhimphedi, Palung and Chhatiwan lack doctors too.

Because of the anomaly, women are forced to go in for secret and unsafe abortion procedures at private clinics and also pay through the nose for it, said a health worker.

Chairperson of the Youth service Society, Buddha Sharan Lama urged that legal abortion services should be resumed at the earliest.