SARLAHI: The intensive care unit (ICU) of the snakebite treatment centre in Nawalpur, Sarlahi, has remained locked for the past six years due to the absence of skilled doctors.
Although the facility is equipped with an ICU and a ventilator to treat critical snakebite cases, it has not been operational owing to a persistent lack of medical personnel. Despite repeated vacancy announcements over the years, the centre has been unable to recruit doctors.
According to Centre Chair Uddhab Paudel, in some cases only a few applications were received, while in others, selected candidates failed to show up to assume their positions.
The centre receives a high number of patients during snakebite season, many of whom require immediate intensive care. However, due to the lack of trained staff to operate the equipment, such patients are referred to other health facilities—often with fatal consequences.
“In many cases, patients die en route to distant hospitals,” said Jagarnath Yadav, the health assistant and in-charge of the centre. He noted that the ICU and ventilator were installed in 2075 BS (2018/19) specifically to manage severe snakebite cases.
Chair Paudel expressed frustration that the ICU and ventilator have remained unused for six years due to the unavailability of qualified human resources.
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