Airlifted pregnant woman struggles to continue treatment

BAJURA: Seven-month pregnant Indra BK, of Kamalbazaar Municipality-1 in Achham district, was airlifted to Nepalgunj from Bayalpata Hospital for additional treatment on September 14. However, her family is struggling to continue her treatment at Nepalgunj Medical College.

According to Dr Bikash Gauchan, director of health services at Bayalpata Hospital, Indra BK was referred to Nepalgunj after her treatment was not possible there. Earlier, she visited the Bayalpata-based health facility after suffering from fever and infection for over a week.

Indra is currently admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Nepalgunj-based health facility. The family is struggling to purchase medicines and manage expenses of the ICU due to lack of finances, shared Manbir BK, Indra's husband.

Indra's treatment costs more than Rs 7,000 per day, of which about Rs 3,000 goes towards the intensive care treatment, Manbir added. He stated that initially, the hospital showed some hesitation in admitting his wife in lack of sufficient fund. Indra was later admitted after he borrowed some money and sought help. The hospital has indicated that she will have to be kept at the ICU for five more days.

Indra was airlifted and sent to Nepalgunj for urgent treatment with the support from the Ministry of Social Development but the family is worried about how to continue the treatment, said Dr Gauchan.

Meanwhile, Kamalbazaar Municipality agreed on providing Rs 10,000 for Indra’s treatment but the family is unable to provide evidence of marriage registration due to which the municipality has also stalled the process. BK family is not strong financially and struggle to make their ends meet. In such a circumstance, it has been difficult for them to continue with medical treatment.

Dr Gauchan -- who urges all for financial contribution -- said that Indra's treatment has continued so far at Nepalgunj Medical College at the request of Bayalpata Hospital, where fund is being collected for her treatment.

(Translated by Madhavi Marasini)