Khotang, September 23

With increasing number of patients visiting the hospital, shortage of bed has been reported in District Hospital, Khotang.

Patients suffering from scrub typhus, pneumonia, typhoid, common cold have been increasing in the district.

Hospital Chief Dr Madhav Prasad Lamsal said they were treating around 20 patients on the floor due to overflow of patients each day causing the bed crunch.

“Patients suffering from complicated diseases have been flocking the hospital and we are treating them on the floor for want of beds,” said Dr Lamsal.

Some patients have rented hotel rooms near the hospital due to shortage of beds.

A source at the hospital said patients were sent home after their treatment at the OPD. Meanwhile, prolonged Tarai bandh has caused a drug crunch at the hospital. Dr Lamsal said they were battling with the drug crunch after eastern regional Health Directorate, Biratnagar failed to supply medicine. “We have brought some medicine via aeroplane from Kathmandu for the time being,” he added.

Scrub typhus has been detected in 14 people of the district. Of them, ten have returned home after receiving treatment while two have been referred to other hospitals and the remaining two are being treated at the District Hospital.