GORKHA, May 20: A radiologist and a surgeon are two of the many specialists that Gorkha Hospital, the biggest hospital of the district urgently needs to expand its health services. While the Ministry of Health had deployed doctors and specialists six years ago, the latter are yet to arrive, largely due to “geographical remoteness and small coverage area,” according to doctors at the hospital.
The hospital’s capacity was increased to 50 beds from 15 beds in 2069 BS has only eight doctors. Along with the increase of the hospital’s capacity, quota for seven specialists and thirteen doctors was allocated. “However, seats for specialists in child health, gynecology, orthopedics, radiology, pathology, mental health and a surgeon are still vacant,” said Hospital Chief Dr. Shreeram Tiwari.
Sick hospitals sans doctors
As a result, while the hospital easily provides general health treatment, it is forced to refer patients seeking specialized treatments to other districts including Bharatpur, Pokhara and Kathmandu.
According to Krishna Dhakal, the hospital’s spokesperson, they urgently require a radiologist and a surgeon. “Without a surgeon, we cannot perform operations that requires complete anesthesia.”
More than 120 patients visit the hospital for its services every day and around 70 births are recorded every month. Without a radiologist, an x-ray machine is lying useless and patients are forced to visit private hospitals of the district that charge exorbitant prices for its services.
