JUMLA: The Jumla-based Karnali Academy of Health Science (KAHS) has been reeling under the shortage of oxygen cylinders due to the repeated obstruction of the Karnali Highway in the recently.

The medical institute is facing a supply crunch after a vehicle supplying oxygen cylinders has got stranded along the highway for the one week.

At least 15 orthopaedic patients have been forced to wait for surgery due to lack of oxygen, informed Dr Pujan Rokaya at the KAHS.

The vehicular movement along the highway has come to halt since a landslide occurred and the debris buried the road over Gagane River in Kalikot district.

"All the cylinders that we have ordered are stuck in the obstruction at Gagane River unable to continue forward in the highway. Now, we have only two cylinders left from the available stock," Dr Rokaya added.

Dr Rokaya further added that the medical institute will have to refer the patients to hospitals located outside the district if the cylinders do not arrive within two to four days.

Meanwhile, the efforts are underway to clear the landslide debris along the 50-metre stretch, said Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Subash Bohara at the District Police Office, Kalikot.