Dadeldhura, August 10

Lack of doctors has hit service delivery at the sub-regional hospital in Dadeldhura headquarters.

The hospital had started operation five years ago. The health facility has been able to draw patients due to various services provided by the hospital and the availability of modern medical equipment. However, the hospital has failed to provide health services to patients suffering from serious ailments for want of doctors.

Shortage of the doctors has forced patients to visit health centres elsewhere in the country and India for treatment. A source at the hospital said it was referring 50 to 55 patients with serious ailments to other hospitals on a monthly basis.

The sub-regional hospital has the quota for 19 specialist doctors. However, the hospital has gynaecologist Dr Nabaraj Joshi and MDGP doctor Jitendra Kandel working at present. Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Shivraj Joshi of the hospital has gone to Kailali’s Malakheti Hospital on periodic service. The hospital has the quota for 18 medical officers, but only five are working currently.

The hospital came into operation five years ago with the government’s decision to merge Team Hospital managed by an NGO and Dadeldhura District Hospital.

Sub-regional Hospital Development Committee chair Laxman Singh said his repeated request to the Ministry of Health to fill the doctors’ quota had fallen on deaf ears.