RAUTAHAT, July 23

The District Hospital in Gaur has been hit hard due to lack of doctors caused by political meddling, for the past week.

The health facility had run out of doctors after the contract of three doctors Subash Chaudhary, Manoj Kaushal and Imtyaj Ahamad expired on the second week of July.

The patients have no option but to rely on health assistants and assistant health workers.

The Ministry of Health had appointed the three doctors on contract for the 50-bed health facility last year. “Neither the ministry renewed their contract nor did it manage other doctors,” bemoaned the locals.

According to hospital sources, around 70 to 90 snakebite patients visit the health facility every day.

Emergency and OPD services are being provided by the assistants due to lack of doctors, said public health Chief, Raj Kishor Pandit.

“We have no option but to refer serious patients and patients seeking parturition services to Narayani Sub-regional Zonal Hospital in Birgunj for treatment,” said assistant health worker Bimlesh Jha.

After the government launched the maternal security programme at District Hospital Gaur last year, Dr Chaudhary was providing free caesarean services for pregnant women. It also remained closed due to his transfer.

Pregnant women, who approach the health facility seeking parturition services are compelled to rush to Birgunj, Raxaul, Kathmandu and other cities for the service.

Public Health Chief Pandit, said that hundreds of people of the area were affected due to doctors’ crunch at primary health centres including Gangapipara, Katahariya, Rajpur Pharhadawa and Chandranigahapur areas, besides the district hospital.