Biratnagar, November 27:

The microscope used in eye operations and the endoscopy machine used in diagnosis of stomach diseases that stopped functioning at the Koshi Zonal Hospital in Biratnagar some three years ago have not been repaired yet.

The microscope is used in eye operations and the endoscopy machine is used for diagnosis of stomach diseases. The failure to repair the equipment and lack of replacement for them have hit patients seeking services from the hospital hard, a hospital source said.

“After the microscope stopped functioning, we have not carried out any big eye operation for the past three years,” eye specialist Dr Rudra Raj Timilsina said. He said frequent requests to the Department of Health to purchase a new microscope that costs around Rs 700,000 were not heard, he added.

Statistics made available by the hospital show that some 60 eye patients visit the hospital everyday. Of them, six are found to be suffering from bigger problems that require operation. “We have to refer them to other hospitals as the hospital lacks basic equipment needed for the operation,” Dr Timilsina said.