BENI: Patients seeking treatment at the Beni-based Provincial Hospital have been left stranded after the closure of outpatient department (OPD) services.
Doctors at the hospital halted OPD operations starting Friday, expressing solidarity with the Nepal Medical Association’s protest, which demands that resident doctors receive a monthly subsistence allowance equivalent to the government’s eighth-level pay grade.
The shutdown has caused significant distress among patients, particularly those traveling from remote villages. For the first time in Gandaki Province, two years ago, the hospital had expanded its OPD hours from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, even operating on Saturdays and public holidays. However, the service has now been completely suspended.
“I came early in the morning for treatment, but I had to return home without getting medical attention,” said Bhabiram BK, a patient. “Now, we have no option but to seek services at private clinics, and we couldn’t even get our regular medicines.”
Dr. Ramu Sapkota of Beni Provincial Hospital stated that while the OPD service remains closed, emergency cases are still being treated. Meanwhile, the doctors have formally notified the District Administration Office of their decision to suspend the OPD service.
The ongoing protest has impacted government hospitals across the country, further burdening patients who rely on public healthcare services.
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