BANKE: Two hospitals in the mid-west are facing the shortage of oxygen cylinders, thanks to the indefinite Tarai bandh enforced by the Tharuhat Joint Struggle Committee.

Bheri Zonal Hospital in Nepalgunj and Nepalgunj Medical College and Teaching Hospital (NMCTH) in Kohalpur have been facing the shortage of oxygen cylinders, according to the sources at the hospitals. The stock of the cylinders in the hospitals depleted due to the disruption in supply because of the bandh for the 12 successive days. The hospitals used to bring oxygen cylinders from Birgunj.

"We have not been able to bring oxygen cylinders from the last 11 days," the source added.

The lack of oxygen has seriously affected the treatment of patients. "We have stopped operating on general patients for the last three days because of the lack of oxygen cylinders," Dr Jitendra Mahaseth at the NMCTH said, adding, "We have only a few cylinders meant for emergency cases left now. It can also not last for more than three days." He also said the hospital required at least 10 oxygen cylinders a day.

Dr Mahaseth also said the patients in need of artificial respiration would be affected if oxygen cylinders is not made available within four days. He also urged the government to be serious on the issue.

Dr Shyam Sundar Yadav, chief at the Bheri Hospital, said operation of the patients had been affected because of the lack of oxygen cylinders. "We have only seven cylinders left. All operations will have to stopped if the cylinders are not supplied within three days," he added.