Patient flow rises in Tanahun Hospital

By Amar Raj Naharki Tanahu, July 19: The number of patients with diarrhoea and typhoid has increased in Damauli Hospital located in the headquarters of Tanahun district. 

Acting Superintendent of Damauli Hospital, Dr. Divash Dhakal, informed that 150 patients visit the hospital in normal condition, but now more than 250 patients come for treatment every day.

Due to the increase in the number of patients, the hospital has taken more admissions than its capacity. With the sudden increase in the number of patients, they have to wait for hours to see a doctor. 

Dr. Dhakal said that it was difficult to check when there was a large crowd of patients. He informed that there are many patients with diarrhoea, fever, typhoid, cold, and skin diseases. 

In addition to this, patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, bone joints, eye ailments, and teeth also come for treatment. 

More than 30 patients come even to the emergency department every day, hospital sources said.

The number of viral fever patients has also increased.  More patients come from Madhya Nepal Municipality of Lamjung for the treatment.

Pneumonia patients are more common among children.  Pediatrician of the hospital Dr. Vabishya Shrestha said that patients are asked to follow health precautions such as staying clean, eating fresh food, drinking boiled water, washing their hands well with soap and water, and wearing a mask while going out.

Devendra Thapa, Chairman of the Hospital Development Committee, said that it was difficult to provide services to the patients as they have minimum health facilities and waiting to upgrade.

Thapa said that 50 beds had to be operated in a hospital with a capacity of 15 beds.  If the capacity can be expanded, the number of doctors will also increase, which will make it easier for treatment, he said. 

"Due to the lack of land, it is difficult to expand the capacity of the hospital. Initiatives are being taken to acquire the land," he said.

The 15-bed hospital has been providing services such as eye, dental, dialysis, video x-ray, x-ray, maternity services, OPD, mental, Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) for HIV infected individuals, tuberculosis, laboratory, health insurance, pregnancy care, and vaccination. 

Residents especially from rural areas come to the hospital for treatment.