DHANGADHI: Health institutions under the purview of Sudur-Paschim Province government are expected to face a shortage of doctors due to the process of adjustment.

The situation has arisen after majority of the doctors working at various health facilities under the province government chose adjustment at the federal level.

According to the Social Development Ministry of the province, out of 87 health professionals deputed at the province, 79 have chosen adjustment at the federal level.

Health Division Chief at the Ministry, Narendra Singh Karki, said only two consultant doctors, three medical officers and three ayurvedic doctors have chosen adjustment at the provincial level.

Meanwhile, six doctors of the eighth level have chosen adjustment at the local level.

As many as 12 hospitals including Seti Zonal Hospital are under the purview of the province government in Sudur-Paschim Province. The zonal hospital is the only referral hospital of the province. Out of the 15 doctors working at the hospital, only two have chosen adjustment at the province, while 13 others have been integrated at the federal level, as per hospital administration.

A possibility has arisen, due to the new adjustment process, that most of the health institutions at the province will be in lack of medical professionals to provide health services to locals.

According to Vice-Chair of Government Doctors’ Association Dr Surendra Basnet, there is a provision for doctors under the federal adjustment to be able to get transfers at health facilities all over the country.