Biratnagar July 5:

Citing lack of trained manpower and infrastructure, the Koshi zonal hospital has decided to auction off 197 medical instruments, including a CT scan machine, six deep freezers, operation tables, auto-analysers, cutter machine, phototherapy units and baby warmers.

The German health association had donated the equipment. The medical superintendent of the hospital Dr Bimal Dhakal said the instruments were being auctioned off due to lack of trained manpower to operate the equipment and absence of infrastructure. According to him, most of the equipment are rusted and jammed.

The association had donated the instruments, including a CT scan machine worth Rs 2 crore, to the hospital. The hospital had paid Rs 2 lakh to bring the machine from the Jogbani checkpoint, but could not install it.

In a meeting held recently, the managing committee of the hospital had decided to auction the CT scan machine and other instruments. The lowest bid was fixed at Rs 3 lakh.

Incubators provided by the health department have also been lying unused at the hospital. Incinerators and an endoscopy machine have been awaiting repair for three months.

Thanks to lack of manpower and machines, people visiting the largest hospital in the eastern region have been unable to avail themselves of treatment.

At least 700 persons visit the hospital daily, said Dr Dhakal. Most of them are forced to visit private nursing homes and clinics due to lack of manpower and machines at the hospital.