There are six posts for doctors in the district -- three for District Hospital in Gulariya and one each for the three Primary Health Centers. But the positions have remained vacant for years.
Owing to the absence of doctors, hundred of patients suffering from diarrhea, fever and anemia have been deprived of treatment.
After doctors transferred to the district did not join the duty station for years, the District Hospital has been delivering services by hiring two doctors on contract. The two doctors attend to 150 patients in the hospital every day.
But the absence of specialist makes it mandatory for patients suffering from serious ailments to either visit Nepalgunj or India. Jyoti Panthi, the joint secretary of the Bardiya chapter of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, said he had to go to Nepalgunj after suffering from prescription drug reaction.
But not all people in Bardiya can afford to leave the district for better treatment. For them, relying on the medical capability of the district hospital and even losing their lives, in absence of proper treatment, is a compulsion.
Dr Mishri Lala Sah, who has been posted to the district hospital, has signed the attendance register on October 5 and then taken leave. Dr Sah hasn´t showed up since, though his leave has already expired.
A hospital source said doctors do not want to work in the district.
The hospital also lacks staff in key sections. Dr Bikram Basukala, who has been working in the district hospital on contract, said it is a tough job for him to cater to the patients in the absence of responsible staff.
“There is a scarcity of oxygen. They don´t use the generator even during emergency. And there are very few medical workers for emergency duty,” he said.
Dr Ananda Shrestha, Regional Health Director, claimed his office has sent letters to the center to make sure that the doctors posted for the district joined their duty immediately.
Related story
Injured man-eater Royal Bengal tiger relocated to Bardiya
-1781882999.webp)
