Khotang, May 24:

Khotang district has 18 health posts that are supposed to provide free medicines and medical treatment, but they are not doing so as none of them has the stock of medicines. As a result, thousands of people are deprived of the free health service announced by the government in January.

The Health Ministry had announced the scheme of providing free medicines and medical treatment to people through government health posts in all 75 districts across the country. However, Khotang’s 18 health posts are yet to start the provision, said district INSEC representative Lok Nath Ghimire.

Health centres in Baxila, Khotang Bazaar and sub-health centres in Okhre Dandagaun, Phaktang, Kiramche, Bopung, Likuwapokhari, Sawak Tahare, Suntale, Suanechaur, Devisthan,

Indrani Pokhari, Badkadiyale, Darkhu Shivalaya, Jaspani, Simpani, Rakhabangdel and Chipring VDCs have no stocks of medicines, said locals. Navraj Upadhyaya of Lichki Ramche, who reached the nearest health centre for treatment, said he was told that there were no medicines. When asked, Dr Raju Basnet at the district public health office said that medicines could not be sent to the sub-health centres in Okhre, Dandagaun and Phaktang VDCs for want

of porters.

Meanwhile, to add to woes of the people the health centre in Banspani VDC is lying shut for 15 days as there are no health workers. Banspani VDC resident Rajan Rai said the shortage of medicines was bad enough but the absence of health workers had altogether slammed the lid on medicare facilities in the VDC.