Hetauda, August 16:

Primary Health Centre in Palung has been without a doctor for two months, leaving villagers in northern VDCs of Makwanpur in the lurch.

Though chief of the centre Dr Tirthendra Khadka was transferred to Baglung, his successor is yet to assume office. People of Palung, Daman, Agra, Gogane, Dandakharka, Tistung, Bajrabarahi, Chitlang, Markhu, Fakhel, Kulekhani and Sisneri have been hit hard.

Lab assistant Ramesh Khadka said patients have been forced to return without getting treatment due to the lack of the doctor.

The x-ray machine and the lab too have become useless in the lack of the doctor. The 15-bed health centre is supposed to have 134 staffers.