Dhankuta, August 6

Health services were adversely affected after permanent and contract doctors left District Hospital, Dhankuta.

The district hospital has been without doctors ever since three permanent doctors were transferred to other hospitals and three contract doctors left the hospital four days ago as their contract  had expired. Patients are facing a hard time due to doctors’’ absence.

The government had dissolved the hospital development committee. Medical superintendent Dr Phanendra Baral and Dr Preeti Yadav were transferred and Dr Hem Sagar Gautam, Babin Regmi and Suman Jaysawal left the hospital after their contract agreement expired.

Administration assistant at the hospital Birendra Kumar Shrestha said locals had been facing problems due to the federal government’s hasty decision. He said as per government quota available at the hospital, the government had already appointed Dr Niti Prasain and Dr Neelam Kumari, but they did report to the hospital on time. He added that women in the eastern hilly areas were compelled to reach the health facilities of Morang and Sunsari districts to receive parturition service.

Patients from Dhankuta, Bhojpur, Tehrathum and Sankhuwashabha, among other hilly districts, are compelled to visit hospitals in Morang and Sunsari now.

As many as 200 patients visit Dhankuta Hospital on a daily basis. Due to lack of doctors, the hospital has halted NSCU, video X-ray and ECG services.

Meanwhile, Dhankuta Municipality Mayor Chintan Tamang said Dr Suman Jaysawal was requested to stay for some time with the assurance that his contract would be extended. He added that the municipality had decided to extend the doctor’s contract.