Dhading, November 5

Patients have been hit hard due to lack of technicians to operate modern medical equipment at Dhading District Hospital.

The hospital has the modern equipment, but it lacks technicians. Video x-ray services have been halted at the hospital after the technician operating it retired. Doctors at the hospital said that the authority concerned had not appointed a new technician.

Health workers added that patients were compelled to go to private health facilities for video x-ray services. Dr Shiva Rana said pregnant women need video x-ray reports at least four times before delivery. He said at least four pregnant women visited the hospital for regular health check-up on a daily basis. Not only technicians, the district hospital also lacks specialist doctors. Only one specialist doctor has been providing health services to patients although the hospital has a quota for four doctors. A woman lost her baby recently due to the lack of doctor at the hospital.

Information Officer Krishna Lal Uprety at the hospital said new health workers were not appointed after the old ones retired. He said that not only technicians, the hospital also lacked  assistant health workers.