Dhangadi, April 5

Adjustment programme of the government doctors is bound to have adverse impact on the functioning of Seti Zonal Hospital, as it reduces the number of doctors from 15 to two.

The hospital is, in fact, in need of 40 specialist doctors, according to Dr Dipendra Pandey, president of Government Doctors’ Association of Nepal.

Of the total 15 doctors in the hospital, 13 have been integrated at the federal level. According to Medical Superintendent Dr Hemraj Pande, only Khagendra Bhatta and Jagadish Joshi have been integrated at the provincial level and will resume their services in the hospital.

Far-west Chairperson of Medical Association Pramod Joshi lamented that the zonal hospital that served as a referral hospital for the entire region was designated a province-level hospital. “The hospital is sure to face difficulties in the days ahead as it is under the jurisdiction of the provincial government and majority of its doctors will be transferred and promoted as per the decision of the central government,” he added.

Meanwhile, hundreds of patients were affected today as government doctors halted health  services, except emergency, throughout the country as part of their protest programme. They are demanding that the government reconsider its programme to adjust government doctors.