Bajura, August 17    

A tree plantation programme was organised with the aim of preventing landslides at Kolti Primary Health Centre in Kolti VDC, Bajura, today.

Kolti Primary Health Centre is at high risk of mudslip. Health workers and other staffers in the health centre are compelled to treat patients putting their lives at risk with the beginning of monsoon season every year.

Landslides had buried various equipment and even the buildings of the health centre  two years ago.

Though then Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, Home Minister Bamdev Gautam and other officials had shown their commitment to transfer the health centre to a safer place, no initiative for the same has been taken yet.

Geologists had also suggested that the health centre cannot not be operated in the same place due to its geographical location. Dr Bikal Lamichhane, of the health centre, said they had planted trees after the government failed to shift the health centre. “The land above the health centre is dry and no green vegetation can be seen in the surroundings of the health facility. Therefore, landslides occur in the area every monsoon,” he informed.

Auxiliary Mid-wife Pramila Bista of the health centre, said as many as 80 different types of plants were brought from Kolti Mother Group and planted in the surroundings of the health facility.

Service seekers from 11 VDCs in the northern part of Bajura along with Mugu and Humla districts reach Kolti Primary Health Centre for treatment on a daily basis. As many as 100 patients receive treatment in the health facility daily.

Meanwhile, Dr Mohan Nath of District Health Office, Bajura, said building construction of the health centre was delayed due to lack of land.

“The primary health centre has received permission to construct a new building with 15 to 25 beds,” he added. Dr Nath said around 35 ropani land was needed for the same.