BIRATNAGAR, MAY 26

Koshi Hospital administration of Biratnagar has said it will start reforming the hospital with its clean-up. "As sanitation is something we can start with right away, we are planning to strictly ensure sanitation conditions now," the hospital administration said.

According to the hospital's medical superintendent Yagya Kharel, legal process will be initiated against anyone found to be involved in breaching sanitation rules at the hospital. "Smoking, spitting, littering, and tobacco-chewing are strictly banned on the hospital premises. So, anyone found violating our rules will have to face legal action," Kharel said.

At an interaction organised by the Dialogue Group in Biratnagar today, he said, "I am committed to improving the sanitation situation at the hospital and I am seeking the help of political parties and the hospital in this campaign."

The hospital also said it would set up a help desk to assist service-seekers.

"While we will paste pamphlets and posters, and even deploy staff if needed, to inform the visitors about our strict rule regarding sanitation, a health desk will be set up to help patients and their kin to facilitate them to avail services easily," said Mahesh Bhattarai, who is the chairperson of the Hospital Development Committee.

CPN (Unified Socialist's) leader Mahesh Regmi advised the authority concerned to manage the problem of congestion caused by e- and auto-rickshaws on the hospital premises.

Nepali Congress Vice-president Bhaktinath Majhi and Public Forum Chairperson Uttam Dhungel stressed the need to improve the information-system and service delivery.

"Though the hospital has said it's improving things here, it's very difficult for a normal citizen to avail hospital services. It's apparent that the hospital hasn't maintained sanitation standard," said CPN-UML Secretary Rupesh Khatiwada.

A version of this article appears in the print on May 27, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.