Rajbiraj, December 11  

Faguni Devi Yadav of Maleth VDC in Saptari has been visiting the Urban Health Service Centre, run by Rajbiraj municipality, almost every day to have her grandchild immunised for the past one week.

But as the health centre remains shut, she had no option but to return home without having her grandchild immunised.

Similar is the plight of Ramwati Mandal of Rajbiraj-10, Shivasthan of the district. Mandal has been frequenting the health centre for the past 10 days, but her newborn has yet to be immunised.

All the health facilities in the district remain closed protesting police attack on doctors and staffers at district headquarters-based Gajendra Narayan Singh Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital two weeks ago.

Health workers’ union also has publicly called for shutting all health services. “We have halted our services in response to the call,” said Urban Health Centre Rajbiraj Chief Dinesh Prasad Sah.

Two weeks ago, police had attacked hospital staffers while the agitating cadres of the United Democratic Madhesi Front were preparing to a vehicle belonging to District Police Office on fire. “Eight doctors were injured in the attack.

Hence, we resorted to protest demanding free treatment and reparation to the victims and action against security personnel involved in the attack,” said Acting Medical Superintendent of the hospital Dr Deepa Yadav.

She, however, said the government has shown no interest towards addressing their demands.

Meanwhile, Chief District Officer Narayan Prasad Bhatta said the problem would be settled soon. CDO Bhatta assured of security to health workers.