Dadeldhura, September 20

Seven persons have tested positive for dengue at Dadeldhura Hospital in the past one week.

Patients from different hilly districts of Sudurpaschim Province visit the hospital for treatment.

Hospital’s Medical Director Jitendra Kandel said seven persons from Bajhang, Darchula and Doti had tested positive for dengue. Of the dengue infected patients, three were from Dadeldhura district. The disease common in Tarai till a few years ago has spread to hilly districts as well, said Kandel. Scrub typhus patients have also been visiting the hospital. Four to five scrub typhus patients visited the hospital on a daily basis, according to a source at the hospital.

The district hospital has been run by three doctors following adjustment of civil servants. Of the existing three doctors, two including Medical Director Kandel will be transferred to other places soon, according to the source. The hospital is likely to face a hard time with the transfer of its two doctors. If the hospital does not get other doctors on time, it could be shut down, according to Tek Bahadur Khadka, a local.