476 beds free in two Chitwan hospitals

By Shaligram Nepal,Chitwan, Aug. 21: Following the directive of the federal and provincial governments, 476 beds have been made free for use in two hospitals of Chitwan district.

Patients in Bharatpur Hospital and Bakulahar Hospital need not pay for using a bed any more.

"We have made 400 general beds free in the hospital. We have abided by the decision of the government to make health services more affordable to the general public," said Dr. Krishna Prasad Paudel, acting medical superintendent of Bharatpur Hospital. 

Bharatpur Hospital, which has 600 beds, has only provided 400 general beds for free. The cost per day for a general bed in Bharatpur was Rs. 100.

"The beds are free from August 18. We will send the records of patients using the free beds to the Health Ministry. The cost of the beds will be paid to the hospital by the government," said Dr. Paudel.

However, even if there was a delay to reimburse the money from the government, Dr. Paudel said that the hospital would not stop the free service.

"Patients should pay for the beds in critical care departments, post-operative wards, cabins, HDU and spine, cardiac, neurosurgery and orthopaedic departments," said Dr. Govinda Kandel, senior physician and spokesperson at Bharatpur Hospital.

Similarly, Ratnanagar-based Bakulahar Hospital, having 90 beds, has made 76 of its beds free for the public.

"The beds have been made free from Friday. 

The other 14 beds are in cabins, neonatal care and critical care departments and patients should pay for them," said Dr. Madan Gyawali, medical superintendent of Bakulahar Hospital.

Bagmati Province Health Minister Uttam Joshi had directed the hospital alongside other government institutions to provide free beds to the public. "We abided by the provincial ministry's directive," said Dr. Gyawali.

Meanwhile, the hospitals stressed that the government needs to increase investment in the health sector.

"Around 2,000 patients arrive at the OPD department of the hospital. We do not have enough resources and capital for effective service delivery," said Dr. Paudel.