Biratnagar, July 12:

Doctors at the Koshi zonal hospital brought to a halt all medical services in the hospital this morning after Dr Pravin Kumar Jha, who was on duty in the emergency ward, was manhandled by a gang of youths last night.

According to the Morang district police office, Dibas Giri and some youths including Prakash Karki associated with the Free Students’ Union of Mahendra Morang Campus who were in the hospital after being injured in a scuffle, manhandled Dr Jha.

According to Dr Ganesh Gurung, the youths got infuriated when Dr Jha wanted to send an assistant health worker for bringing medical items required for stitching. They suddenly lost their temper saying that the hospital lacked even basic medical items and manhandled Dr Jha.

The ECG machine in the emergency ward was also damaged in the scuffle, Dr Gurung said. Hundreds of patients had to turn away from the hospital following the closure of all medical services. Doctors also shut private clinics in protest and private nursing homes too supported their move. According to sub-inspector of the district police office, Rabindra Kumar Sharma, those involved in the incident were arrested last night. The Nepal Medical Association and other health-affiliated organisations issued press releases today, condemning the incident.

Health centres sans docs

Itahari, July 12:

Hundreds of patients have been deprived of quality health service in five primary health centres of Sunsari district for the past two years due to absence of doctors. Though the government has fixed postings of doctors in primary health centers of Chatara, Madhuban, Harinagara and Saterjhora, the posts have remained vacant, chief of District Hospital in Inaruwa, Brij Kishor Thakur, said. The patients of rural region have been compelled to travel to Inaruwa, Dharan, Itahari and Biratnagar for treatment. He said the Health Department and the Ministry of Health were appealed time and again to send doctors to the health centres. “However, they are yet to send doctors.” - HNS