Locals awaiting hospital building

Dhankuta, August 20

A decade after its foundation stone was laid, construction a hospital has yet to begin at Budhabare Bazaar of Chaubise Rural Municipality in Dhankuta.

Nepali Congress leader Bimalendra Nidhi had laid the foundation stone of the hospital in 2008. Nidhi had pledged to build the hospital with funds from his father’s trust. The locals had urged Nidhi to construct the hospital.

Hospital Construction Committee Chairman Som Nath Dahal said only soil test had been conducted so far. “We could not start construction work due to the lack of funds,” he added.

The locals said had the hospital been constructed they would not have to travel elsewhere to seek medical treatment.

Chandra Shrestha, a local, said soil test showed that the hospital could be constructed the proposed site. “But construction work has yet to begin,” he added.

He said the locals were compelled to reach Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health and Sciences and different health facilities of Morang to receive health services.

Meanwhile, Hospital Construction Committee member Harendra Acharya said the locals of Dhankuta, Panchthar, Morang and Ilam would benefit once the hospital came into operation.