Jajarkot, March 20

Construction of over half a dozen health facilities in Jajarkot is now in limbo due to gross negligence on the part of the concerned construction companies.

Construction of Khagenkot-based Primary Health Centre has not even started although the Urban Development and Building Construction Department Division Office, Surkhet, had awarded the project to Kathmandu-based Shree GM Construction Pvt Ltd six years ago.

The company had agreed to complete the health centre at a cost Rs 20 million.

“Though the health facility has quota for 13 staffers, including a medical officer, we are unable to provide our services effectively for want of necessary infrastructure,” said chief at the centre Dr Bibhanta Sah.

The health centre has been providing services from its dilapidated building. It provides medical care to residents of Khagenkot, Laha, Dandagaun, Sakla, Ramda and Bhagawati, among other VDCs, of Rukum district.

“The concerned authority has failed to take action against the construction company for not completing the project on time,” said Narayan Bahadur Singh, principal of Dalli-based Tribhuvan Higher Secondary School.

“A huge amount of money allocated for development activities has gone down the drain due to the government’s failure to implement the project,” rued civil society leader Rajendra Bikram Shah.

Similarly, construction of a structure belonging to District Public Health Office’s Parturition Department is also in limbo.

Health facilities at Gharanga and Dasera of Dhime VDC, Budkule of Majkot, Seema and Ramidanda, among other places are also incomplete. Health services have been affected due to lack of necessary infrastructure, complained local health workers.

Nagendra Shah, chairman of Jajarkot District Hospital Development Committee, said the construction companies haven’t come into contact despite several attempts.

Thamma Raj Shrestha, chief of Urban Development and Building Construction Division Office, Surkhet, said they were preparing to take action against all construction companies that have failed to complete their projects on time.