JAJARKOT: Jajarkot district is witnessing a rise in the number of patients suffering from viral fever in the past week.

According to local health personnel, the district hospital and health posts are filled with patients of viral fever and the number is increasing.

The viral fever has already claimed the life of a minor -- Aasha BK,14, of Barekot Rural Municipality-6 currently living in Thaple of the district headquarters, Khalanga. Her death has stirred fear among the locals as cases of the fever are increasing.

Resham Khadka, a local mediaperson said that due to lack of health institutions, shortage of medicines and health personnel, the patients have not been able to receive proper treatment. "When people suffering from viral fever visit health institutions, there are neither medicines available nor are the health personnel present," stated Khadka.

It has been reported that there has been a shortage of medicines as the process to purchase them was stalled by locals levels. This has compelled the locals to buy medicines from private medical outlets at a higher price.

Prasad Nepali, a local from Chedagaad Municipality-13 said that lack of transportation service also creates a hurdle to take patients to health institutions. He added, they are forced to carry patients on a stretcher. But lack of youths in the village was creating an added obstacle.

It has been reported that all of the seven local levels in the district have patients suffering from viral fever as the shortage of medicines continues.

According to Dr Keshar Karki, the District Hospital is receiving as many as 100-150 patients daily, out of which more than half are suffering from viral fever. He added that though patients are increasing, the stock of medicines is decreasing.