JAJARKOT: As specialist doctors and health professionals deputed at the District Hospital and primary health centre among other health institutions have not been staying in the district, locals are forced to seek quality health care elsewhere in recent times.

With lack of essential medicines and equipment in health centres and poor infrastructure, people have been deprived of health care in the district.

At times, locals have been victims of epidemics in the district and many patients face untimely demise falling prey to mismanaged health care system in the district.

One of the locals, Resham Bahadur Shahi said, "Patients visiting health centres with viral fever, typhoid and dysentery have to return home without treatment." He further said people are compelled to travel to another district to treat simple conditions.

District Hospital was upgraded to 50 beds from 15 beds three years ago. However, the government has failed to send specialist doctors, provide equipment, build physical infrastructure and blood bank among others.

According to Bheri Municipality-3 Ward Chair Leela Bahadur Shah, "Government failure to provide facilities accordingly after upgradation of the hospital shows sheer negligence."

Ministry of Health is refusing to send specialist doctors to the District Hospital, Shah added.

Dr Rajendra Lama, Chief of District Hospital said, "Health services have been affected in the district as most of the doctors posted in the hospital leave abruptly. We are also struggling to work here."

Medical superintendent of 11th level, paediatrician, gynaecologist, psychologist, general physician, radiologist, orthopaedician, general surgeon, anaesthetist and nine other speciality posts have remained vacant in the hospital.

Meanwhile, four medical officers and two contract health professionals are providing services at the hospital.