SOLUKHUMBU, Nov 2: The only district hospital at Solukhumbu's Phaplu is without any doctors at present, as none of the doctor chose to work in Solukhumbu following the adjustment process of health workers. Due to this, patients are obliged to run to hospitals in Kathmandu and Okhaldhunga for even small medical needs.
The district hospital which falls under the jurisdiction of the provincial government has further decreased the quota of health professionals and doctors in the hospital. The district hospital in province-1 has been allocated a quota of only eight doctors. The district hospital, Phaplu had 3 doctors and 40 health professionals earlier. It is being run by only three health professionals at present. Medical Superintendent Dr Rabin Maharjan was supposed to be starting his work in Lalitpur after his transfer but he has not been able to go to Lalitpur.
Sick hospitals sans doctors
Maharjan said, “None of the doctors chose to work in Solukhumbu in the adjustment process due to which there are no doctors at the hospital right now.” He added, “I have not been able to resume my duties in Lalitpur and am stuck in Solukhumbu as there are no other doctors at the district hospital Phaplu.
The Hospital Development Committee said that the hospital has not been able to run its gynecology department because of which patients are obliged to go to Okhaldhunga to get medical services during pregnancy.
Bipin Rai, a local of Phaplu said, “There is no doctor at the hospital. The hospital is a place where a patient reaches with the faith to recover and heal. How do you expect us to get services when the district hospital is in such dire situation?”
