CHITWAN: More than 11,000 patients have been affected after health workers shut down outpatient department (OPD) services at major hospitals in Chitwan in protest against the serious assault on a doctor working at Narayani Hospital, Birgunj.
The protest followed an attack on Dr Pramod Ram, a medical officer at Narayani Hospital, who was seriously injured after the family of a patient who died during treatment accused doctors of negligence.
The patient, Raj Kumar Patel of Birgunj Metropolitan City–25, died during treatment on Saturday. His family and relatives have alleged that the death occurred due to medical negligence.
In response to the assault, OPD services were suspended at Bharatpur Hospital, BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, two medical colleges in Chitwan, and 23 smaller private hospitals, affecting thousands of patients seeking regular treatment.
Bharatpur Hospital alone recorded around 3,500 OPD patients on Monday. Similarly, around 1,200 patients visit the cancer hospital, more than 2,000 visit two medical colleges, and over 4,000 receive OPD services at private hospitals in the district on a daily basis.
Patients arriving for treatment expressed frustration over the service shutdown. Maya Devi Lamsal, who had visited Bharatpur Hospital after running out of medicines for diabetes and high blood pressure, said she was forced to return without receiving treatment.
Another patient, Ranjit Tamang, said he was disappointed after being unable to receive medical care due to the closure of OPD services.
Nepal Medical Association (NMA), Chitwan chapter, senior vice-president Dr Dipendra Neupane said only emergency services were operating during the protest.
He condemned the attack on the doctor and said health services would remain affected until those responsible are brought to justice.
The BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Chitwan also receives a large number of patients from areas near the Nepal-India border, making the service disruption a major concern for patients requiring regular treatment.
Comment