Bharatpur Hospital’s outpatient services closed by protesting health workers

CHITWAN:- More than 11,000 patients have been affected after health workers shut down the Outpatient Department (OPD) services at Bharatpur Hospital in protest against a severe attack on a doctor at Narayani Hospital, Birgunj.

Rajkumar Patel, a resident of Birgunj Metropolitan City-25, died on Saturday while undergoing treatment. His family members and relatives have alleged that his death was caused by medical negligence.

Medical services at Bharatpur Hospital have been suspended in protest against the attack on Dr. Pramod Ram—a medical officer at Narayani Hospital, Birgunj, who has been facing serious allegations of negligence—which left him critically injured.

On Monday, 3,500 people availed themselves of outpatient services at Bharatpur Hospital. Daily outpatient numbers include 1,200 patients at the cancer hospital, over 2,000 across two medical colleges, and more than 4,000 at small private hospitals.

Maya Devi Lamsal, who had come to Bharatpur Hospital because she had run out of medication for diabetes and high blood pressure, stated that she was facing hardship due to the protest that had halted medical services.

Ranjit Tamang, who had also come for treatment, complained of the distress caused by being unable to receive care today due to the closure of outpatient services.

Patients have been affected by the suspension of outpatient services at Bharatpur Hospital, B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, two medical colleges in Chitwan, and 23 smaller hospitals.

Dr. Dipendra Neupane, Senior Vice-President of the Nepal Medical Association (Chitwan), stated that all services other than emergency care have been suspended.

Describing the attack on the doctor as condemnable, he stated that it would be difficult to resume services until action is taken against the perpetrators.

Patients from the Indian border region come to the BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital here.