Himalayan News Service

Lahan, March 29:

Lack of doctors and fund has affected the expansion of the Lahan Hospital, which got permission to upgrade its capacity to 50 beds three months ago. The hospital currently has only three doctors. The hospital has decided to expand the hospital from its own resources but fund crunch has delayed implementation of the plan, a doctor in the hospital said. As per the rule a 50-bed hospital should have at least 12 doctors and other workforce, technical equipment and medicines, which the hospital is not in a position to afford. Lahan Hospital provides health services to 85 to 125 persons a day, Dr Pashupati Chaudhary informed, adding, the attempts were on to develop the hospital as a trauma centre because of its proximity to the highway. Dr Chaudhary said the hospital had initiated preliminary works to expand its service to accommodate increasing number of patients. Though the government provides doctors, the hospital management committee is responsible to manage other required workforce and medicines. “The hospital has a huge challenge to cover the huge economic responsibility from its small income,” Dr Chaudhary added. Established 21 years ago with the permission for 15 beds, the hospital receives relatively more accident victims. It provides health services to the people of Saptari, Dhanusha, Udaypur, Sindhuli and Siraha districts.