KATHMANDU, March 11 : Dr Bhagwan Koirala has said that he has no problem in withdrawing his resignation if the government and the office bearers of Tribhuvan University (TU) meet the demands raised by him, a source at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, said
A staff at TUTH said that Dr Koirala had told them that he did not take the decision to resign in a gush of emotion and he can reconsider it if all the issues raised by him are addressed.[break]
“False promises won´t work any more. I worked for three months waiting for the government and the TU authority to fulfill the promises they made to me before I took the job,” the staff quoted Dr Koirala as saying, not wanting to be identified.
Dr Koirala declined to comment on the issue saying his resignation has not been approved yet and that the authorities were holding talks on the issues raised by him.
Expressing disappointment with the TU administration for failing to fulfilling the promises made to him before his appointment, Dr Koirala had resigned from the post last Friday. He was appointed as director just three months ago. The government and the TU have agreed to fulfill some of the key demands of the Dr Koirala to get him to withdraw his resignation.
While Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has assured to provide necessary financial assistance to TUTH, the TU office bearers have agreed to implement the employee transfer policy. The office bearers have also agreed to provide more administrative rights to the director of TUTH.
"We have agreed to fulfill the demands raised by Dr Koirala," said TU Vice Chancellor Hira Bahadur Maharjan. He said that PM Bhattarai was serious about reinstating Dr Koirala and doing everything possible to get him back on the job.
VC Maharjan also conceded that Dr Koirala had faced difficulties and non-cooperation, which ultimately compelled him to resign.
Dr Koirala, who had received high acclaim for successfully establishing and running Shahid Gangalal National Heart Center, resigned from TUTH in just three months after his appointment. "He had taken honest initiatives to revive the hospital that had been plagued by chronic mismanagement," said Dr Dinesh Bastola, adding, "But the hostile environment at the hospital frustrated him." He said that inadequate administrative rights, unsupportive staffers and financial crisis played part in his decision to quit. Dr Koirala, in a statement after tendering resignation, had complained about unsupportive staffers. He had sent the names of some of the staffers, including senior professors who had been creating obstacles in his mission, to the TU authority seeking their transfer from the hospital.
With his appointment, Dr Koirala had stopped several irregularities that were happening at the hospital. "Those who had been taking undue advantages refused to support him in his initiatives," Bastola added.
Bastola, however, said that such people were only few and many employees were supportive of Dr Koirala.
Employees of the hospital have been creating pressure on the TU authority and the government not to accept Dr Koirala´s resignation. They have been urging the government to fulfill his demands immediately.
Injustice has happened to Dr Koirala
Dr Dinesh Bastola, Assistant Professor, Institute of Medicine
Why did Dr Koirala resign?
Dr Koirala was appointed as director at a time when the hospital was in a very bad shape. He just mobilized the hospital resources through sincere endeavors and we could already see the turnaround. I think several hostile factors have made him frustrated. Some staffers refused to cooperate right from the beginning of his tenure. He might have thought that he could not perform to the best of his capabilities with limited administrative rights, little resources and unsupportive staffers.
Dr Koirala has also complained about senior professors. Why didn´t they support him?
Some people don´t accept changes easily. His working style had created difficulties for those accustomed to taking undue advantages and those who had been evading duties. Everybody, including the senior professors, should acknowledge that Dr Koirala´s honest endeavors are on the behalf of institution. We should give first priority to this institution then only think about ourselves. Institution´s identity comes before our identity.
Another factor that afflicts the institution is the political affiliations of the staffers. At least professors should stay above the political alignments. Union politics should not be allowed to damage the institution. In my view, 90 percent of employees at the hospital are sincere towards their duties. Only 10 percent create problems.
Dr Koirala has also complained about insufficient administrative rights of the director.
No one can function effectively if he is not given rights. It had been difficult for Dr Koirala to work with the limited administrative rights. All the demands of Dr Koirala are genuine and are for the good of the hospital. I think the TU should give autonomy to the hospital.
Parmeshwor Shah,
An employee, Radiology Department
As an employee of the hospital, I have witnessed a lot of good changes at the hospital during the tenure of Dr Koirala. His working style was different. Dr Koirala had been able to maintain discipline at the hospital. He had also strived to make the employees more accountable and had convinced us about duties and responsibilities. The hospital´s revenue increased when he was the director. Lower level employees felt encouraged by his working style but senior doctors found it problematic.
It is unfortunate that he has resigned in a very short period. I am worried about the fate of hospital and what would happen to the measures taken by Dr Koirala. The initiatives should get continuity even if a new director is appointed.
While now you don´t see patients lying on the hospital floor, earlier doctors refused to provide beds to patients even when they were vacant. Dr Koirala had broken all such malpractices. The pharmacy at the hospital has been providing medicines at minimal costs. Dr Koirala has also ensured that the pharmacy remained open 24 hours. Poor patients feel relieved due to such moves.
Changes seen in his three months tenure
Bed occupancy rate has reached almost 100 percent.
More revenue has been generated, with Dr Koirala ensuring that doctors do not turn patients away.
24-hour dispensary that provides medicines at costs far below the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) printed in the medicines.
Ticket counter remain open from 10am to 5pm with no break in between.
Patients not allowed to be sent outside the hospital for lab tests that adds to the hospital´s costs.
Put a stop to the practice of diverting patients to nursing homes and admit only academic cases sent from private clinics.
Strict monitoring to check misuse of overtime allowances.
The hospital that was suffering huge losses and struggling even to pay salaries, reaches breakeven.
Prohibit to park taxis and D grade ambulances in hospital premise, as they are alleged involving in transferring patients to private centers.