ITAHARI, April 28: Itahari is a metropolitan-oriented city in the eastern parts of the country, considered a hub for transportation, education, business and sports. However, in the matter of providing quality health services to the people, the patients who came to Itahari Hospital for treatment had to return with a referral, not treatment. But the scenario has now changed as Itahari Hospital will now be providing round-the-clock services.
Emergency, lab and pharmacy services have started at Itahari Hospital from Friday. It was formally inaugurated by Mayor Hem Karna Paudel.
"In order to fulfill the promises made during the election, health is the first priority. Along with emergency services, lab and pharmacy services have been started," Mayor Paudel said. According to him, the hospital has started emergency services and dedicated 15 emergency beds.
Round-the-clock dialysis service at Bir Hospital
As more buildings of the hospital are under construction, more services will be added after its completion. Although the pharmacy currently has limited medicines, it is said that sufficient medicines will be arranged within a month. Mayor Paudel said that the ICU, NICU and ventilator will be arranged within one year.
The people of Itahari are forced to go to hospitals in Dharan, Biratnagar or India’s Siliguri for special treatment. At present, Itahari Hospital has started providing services by adding four specialist doctors in obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics and physicians. Besides, there are six medical officers, according to the hospital administration. Damodar Gautam, head of the hospital, said that there is a plan to add more doctors and medical officers as per the need.
The population density is increasing day by day in Itahari. Article 35 of the Constitution of Nepal 2072 provides for health-related rights. Article 35 (1) states that every citizen has the right to receive basic health care from the state free of charge and no one will be deprived of emergency health care.
It’s not that there are no health institutions established in Itahari with large investments. Health institutions including TR Hospital, City Hospital, Mediscort Hospital and Purbanchal Hospital, which were opened with huge investments a few years ago, were closed. These institutions are found to be closed due to the lack of permanent specialist doctors, lack of special equipment and lack of confidence in the clients.
Currently operating community hospitals, Apex Hospital, Panchkoshi Polyclinic and other health institutions seem to lack skilled manpower, special equipment, physical infrastructure and space. In this situation, while Itahari Hospital is being organized and new services are being added, the people of Itahari and the surrounding areas stand to benefit.
