MUGU, March 29: Locals of eastern Mugum Karmarong Rural Municipality, who had to struggle a lot in the past for medical treatment, are elated with the announcement of the establishment of a community hospital in their area.
There are five government-run health posts and birthing centers in the rural municipality but it's hard to find health workers and medicines there. This has been a major problem especially for pregnant women. Chiring Kyapne Lama, chairperson of the rural municipality is hopeful that none of the locals of the will be deprived of health services after the establishment of the hospital.
Water shortage compels villagers to defecate in forest
According to him, a large number of people were forced to return without treatment even for minor injuries and diseases due to the absence of health workers at the health posts. While financially well-off people would charter helicopters for their ill family members, the poor were obliged to struggle with their illnesses.
Chiring Tamang, vice-chairperson of the rural municipality, informed Republica that around a dozen pregnant women have lost their lives due to the failure to provide timely treatment. A community hospital will be a boon especially for the people of the underprivileged communities who cannot afford to go to well-equipped hospitals outside their village due to poverty.
The community hospital will be established with the financial support of non-governmental organizations called Chaya Nepal and Himalayan Rural Youth Society Development Center (HRYSDC). Mugum Karmarong Rural Municipality will provide 20 per cent financial help. Reportedly, Chaya Nepal will spend Rs 5.5 million for the hospital which is said to be completed by next year.
