Spine injury treatment unavailable in Sudurpaschim

By Puskar Bhandari,Dadeldhura, Oct. 3: Treatment for spine injuries is not available in the entire Sudurpaschim Province. Moreover, not only spine injuries but also the treatment for complex bone fractures is not accessible throughout the province. 

For the treatment of spine or bone fractures, a medical team comprising a spine surgeon, neurologist, and orthopedic specialist doctor is required. Unfortunately, none of the hospitals in the province has such a specialised medical team.

Dr. Santosh Gupta of Dadeldhura Hospital said, “Due to the absence of a specialised medical team, treating complicated conditions such as spine injuries or fractured bones is not feasible in Sudurpaschim Province.”

Ishwari Bhandari, a 38-year-old local of Bhatgaon, Amargadhi Municipality-7, district headquarters, fell from a tree on Sunday.

She fell off the tree while bundling hay and placing it on a tree in her crop field, which is located approximately at an hour’s walk from the village.

After being transported to Pokhara Bazar on a stretcher, the point where the motor-road is accessible, she was taken to Dadeldhura Hospital. 

Dadeldhura Hospital is the only hospital under the federal government in Sudurpaschim Province, situated seven kilometres away.

Following an X-ray examination at Dadeldhura Hospital, doctors diagnosed Bhandari with a spine fracture.

Hikmat Bhandari, her relative, informed that the hospital advised him to take Ishwori to Bheri Hospital in Nepalganj of Lumbini Province, saying that the treatment of spinal injury was not possible in the entire province.

Ishwari’s husband is currently employed in Nashik, India. At home, she has three sons and daughters, along with her elderly in-laws, who she is supposed taking care of.

Unfortunately, her family is unable to afford the necessary treatment for her.

Hikmat mentioned that Ishwari was brought to Dadeldhura Hospital after collecting donations from the villagers. 

He mentioned that due to the unavailability of spinal injury treatment in Dadeldhura and Dhangadhi, taking Ishwari to Nepalgunj would lead to a further increase in her treatment expenses.

“If the treatment was possible here, it would be convenient for us as we have relatives who would offer support. However, going to Nepalgunj and other hospitals will add a financial burden on her family,” he added. 

Every year, hundreds of people of Sudurpaschim Province suffer from spinal and bone fractures following road accidents on the highways and falls from trees and cliffs. The province has seven hilly districts. 

Many individuals dealing with spinal injuries and complex fractured bones are forced to seek treatment outside of the province because such treatment is not available within the province.

Civil society leader Padam Bhatta highlighted that due to the unavailability of treatment within the province, the locals are deprived of convenient and accessible medical care.

The Constitution of Nepal has guaranteed the right to education, health, food, housing and clean drinking water, he said, adding, “As outlined in the Constitution, no rights have been guaranteed in the daily lives of the local people.”

He also expressed his concern, stating that the locals of Sudurpaschim Province are compelled to live with disabilities or face premature death because proper treatment is not available within the province. 

Bhatta emphasized that the absence of treatment is not limited to bone injuries; critical health conditions such as heart disease also remain unaddressed within the province. Consequently, individuals are compelled to travel to other provinces to seek the necessary medical care.