Patients have been hit hard as they are forced to purchase medicines from local pharmacies instead of getting it free from the hospital. Even pregnant women are deprived of iron tablets due to the scarcity.
"Patients ask us for free medicines," said Basudev Bajgain, information officer at Tikapur Hospital. "But we have to tell them to get it from local pharmacies."
Tek Narayan Poudel, who runs Chandi Mai Medical Store in Tikapur, said there is a shortage of essential medicines used in treating mental diseases, diabetes, blood pressure, among other diseases.
"The banda may also affect our vaccination program to be organized from September 7 to 11," said Poudel. "We haven't received necessary equipments for the program yet. This is hurting the chances of the program's success," he added.
Dr Narendra Khanal, medical superintendent of Tikapur Hospital, informed that the hospital was also facing the shortage of oxygen. "Oxygen has to be brought from Nepalgunj. But the supply has been affected by the bandas."
There number of patients visiting the hospital has declined significantly because of the extended banda.
According to Bajgain, around 200 patients visited the hospital earlier everyday. "Now, the number has decreased to around 50 per day," he said.
"Because of the tense situation, patients are forced to stay at their homes instead of seeking treatments," said Dr Khanal, adding that banda and curfew should not affect patients.
Unable to visit the hospital, has also prevented HIV patients from receiving their regular dose of live-saving medicines from the hospital.
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