JANAKPURDHAM: The construction of basic hospitals in most of the local units of Madhesh Province is facing delays. Some units are experiencing land disputes after awarding contracts, while construction is proceeding at a slow pace in others.
In Durgabhagwati Rural Municipality of Rautahat, a contract to build a 15-bed hospital was awarded about a year and a half ago. Arun Kumar Sah, the chairman of the rural municipality, selected the land and awarded the contract. However, construction has been stalled due to a dispute over land selection.
Local religious leaders have taken the matter to the District Court in Rautahat, claiming that the land belongs to Ramjanaki Temple in Bholahiya.
Shambhu Singh, the chairperson of the rural municipality, explained that the ongoing legal case has affected the construction, and they are considering building the hospital in a different location. They are holding discussions with relevant stakeholders to explore the possibilities.
He also expressed concern that the lack of a hospital has forced local people to move to urban areas for treatment, and they would have received treatment locally if the hospital construction had not hit a stumbling block.
Currently, the rural municipality is providing health services from a health post that includes an X-ray machine. They are also preparing to start pathology lab services to further improve the quality of healthcare available in the area.
Similarly, Ishanath Municipality in Rautahat has been unable to find a suitable location to build a hospital. The municipality had initially finalized a plot of land in Duamriya of Ward-9 for the hospital but had to abandon the plan as the plot did not meet the necessary specifications.
“We are actively looking for a suitable land to build the hospital,” said Rabindra Kumar Jha, the information officer of the municipality. “There is a suitable land in Dumariya, but it is privately owned and difficult to acquire.”
Mayor Kaushilya Devi expressed concern that local people have no other option but to travel to Gaur for health services, as the health post in Ishanath cannot even provide basic services. She added that traveling to Gaur during the rainy season becomes particularly challenging.
In Haripurwa Municipality of Sarlahi, a hospital building has been constructed but is yet to be brought into operation. The municipality has built a 15-bed hospital building in Naya Bazaar of Ward-2.
Rameshwar Raya, the chairperson of Ward-8 of the municipality, stated that Rs. 10 million has been allocated for the hospital’s operation in the current fiscal year. He added that equipment for the pathology lab has already been procured, but delays in installing necessary equipment have been hindering the hospital’s operation.
Binod Sah, a local resident of Haripurwa, had donated 10 kattha of land for the hospital when Rajendra Mahato, a senior leader of the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party, was the health minister. “I donated the land so that local people could receive health services in their area. It is sad to see that the hospital has yet to become operational,” he expressed.
In Manarasiswa Municipality of Mahottari, the construction of a hospital building is currently underway, according to Madhabendra Chaudhary, the chief administrative officer of the municipality. “Foundation work has been completed so far,” he stated.
As of 2021/22, the number of government hospitals in Madhesh Province has increased by 40% to 21, with 295 doctors working in these hospitals.
IS & D Worldwide Company was awarded the project, but they began their work only a year after receiving the contract, said Chaudhary. “The project was delayed as it took us some time to select suitable land and procure construction services. Now, the construction work will progress,” he added, mentioning that around 50,000 people in the municipality will benefit from the 15-bed hospital once it becomes operational.
In December 2020, then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli laid the foundation stones for 396 basic hospitals in different local units across all seven provinces. However, according to the Ministry of Health and Population, construction work is progressing slowly in most of these hospitals.
Despite an increase in the number of hospitals and doctors in Madhesh Province, local people still lack proper health facilities. As of 2021/22, the number of government hospitals in the province has increased by 40% to 21, with 295 doctors working in these hospitals. The number of beds in government hospitals has also increased to 1,335. The province now has 135 private hospitals, with 866 doctors working in these hospitals and a total of 2,658 beds.
