Chitwan, December 20

The Ministry of Health has sought clarification from the chairperson of the board of directors and executive director of Chitwan’s BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital on charges levelled against them regarding inefficient operation of the health facility, and possible abuse of hospital finances.

Dr Prakash Raj Neupane, chairperson of the Board of Directors of BPKMCH, and Executive Director Dr Chin Bahadur Pun have been directed to furnish clarification within three days.

The ministry had submitted a monitoring report prepared by a four-member panel led by Chief of the Monitoring and Evaluation Department Dr Dipendra Raman Singh to Health Minister Gagan Thapa a few days back. “Based on the report, Minister Thapa asked them to post a written clarification within three days,” said Undersecretary Ram Krishna Lamichhane of the Ministry of Health.

According to Lamicchane, the report said that the hospital administration was found to be inefficient, financial irregularities were discovered, there was no proper waste management system, and hospital staff were not found at the hospital during office hours. It was also found that expenses of Rs 300 million was not in order.

Meanwhile, Dr Neupane said that he would present a written clarification by Wednesday, while Executive Director Dr Pun said that he would go to the ministry to inquire about the allegation.