Gorkha District Hospital, which had handled more than 500 patients daily for a few weeks after the earthquake, is in a sorry state. The hospital quarters, emergency ward and medical store have developed deep cracks in ceiling and walls.
The hospital has set up five tents to provide birthing facility, emergency and other services. The hospital said pregnant women and new mothers have been the hardest hit.At present, the hospital receives more than 50 patients daily and the number is increasing with changes in weather conditions. Although it has been providing 24-hour services, it has not been able to provide effective services due to lack of proper equipment.
The hospital says the flow of patients has increased as 41 health posts in the district were destroyed in the quake.
"Although the hospital building has been badly damaged, we have not halted our services. We have been providing our services from tents and tarpaulins," said Sudha Devkota, chief of the hospital. "We have no alternative other than providing our services from tents," she added.
"The tents get unbearably hot during daytime," she added. After being treated, patients rush toward nearby sheds to escape the heat.
Pregnant women have been hit the hardest. "They feel very uncomfortable inside the tents but we have no choice," said Devkota. "But we can't go on like this forever. A solution has to be sought soon," she added.
At present, only eight rooms in the emergency ward and four operation theaters are operating in the main hospital building. All other services are being provided from tents and tarpaulins.
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