Pokhara, August 4

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority raided Western Regional Hospital and seized documents in Pokhara today.

The anti-graft team had raided the regional hospital after a case related to financial irregularity in purchase of MRI machine and in the operation of social service unit was filed.

The hospital procured the MRI machine last year and it has been in operation for the past seven months. The CIAA sprung into action after a case was registered complaining of financial anomalies in purchase of the machine and operation of the social unit.

The anti-graft body has seized documents related to the MRI machine purchase. Since Vice-chancellor Professor Dr Buddhi Bahadur Thapa is in Kathmandu, the CIAA could not seize documents pertaining to operation of the social unit.

Vice-chancellor Thapa said that the MRI machine was purchased at a cost of Rs 100 million provided by the government.

“BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Patan Institute of Health Sciences and Pokhara Institute of Health Sciences bought the MRI machine at the same time. We procured the machine at a lower price than others,” Thapa said over phone. Thapa said the contract to operate the social service unit was given with due procedure. “If mistakes were committed by any side, I am ready to face punishment,” Thapa clarified.

The case registered with the CIAA states that the monitoring committee had bypassed the hospital management committee and awarded the contract to Ashal Chhimeki Organisation for financial gain. The monitoring committee led by Dr Narendra Gurung has been accused of financial irregularities while handing over the responsibility to operate the social service unit to Ashal Chhimeki.