BIRENDRANAGAR: The death of 22-year-old Bhima Gurung Balami of Pipalkot, Aathbis Municipality-5 of Dailekh, during treatment at Karnali Provincial Hospital has sparked protests from her relatives.

On April 11, Balami, who reached the hospital on foot for uterine surgery, was pronounced dead by doctors that evening. Since then, her relatives have been in a state of agitation. The dead body has remained at the hospital for six days as the hospital administration and relatives have failed to reach an agreement.

Her husband, Namraj Balami, a Nepal Army personnel, took her to the hospital after she experienced profuse bleeding and abdominal pain. “My sister-in-law was well when she went for treatment and her death was declared in a suspicious manner within a few minutes,” said her brother-in-law Harka Bahadur Balami. 

Bhima’s relatives have been staging daily protests on the hospital premises. Despite discussions with the hospital, no agreement has been reached so far. Because of this, the relatives have closed the Karnali Highway for two days. The relatives have put forward the demand for proper investigation and custody of the deceased’s child, who is eight months old. Bhima’s family refuses to allow a post-mortem stating that the hospital has disregarded their demand. Chief District Officer of Surkhet Shankarhari Acharya said that the hospital administration is engaged in continuous negotiations.

 
• protests
 
• Karnali_Provincial_Hospital
 
• doctors