Rupandehi, February 1:

The Rupandehi-based Lumbini Zonal Hospital has halted surgery service in the hospital since yesterday as the supply of oxygen has been halted due to the disruption in vehicular movement fuelled by the ongoing violence in the Terai.

“We have cancelled some pre-scheduled surgeries as the supply of oxygen to the hospital from Birgunj is being halted,” acting medical superintendent of the Hospital Dr KB Shrestha said, adding, “However, the emergency and serious operations will be performed.”

Shrestha added that there is a stock of only 20 cylinders of oxygen in the hospital at present, which would only be enough for about a week.

Surgeon Dr KN Joshi of the hospital said only those surgeries, which can be delayed, were postponed.

The patients, who were scheduled to have operations, were seen returning home with grim faces. The hospital administration said oxygen cylinders would be brought from Pokhara or Gorakhpur of India within a week.