Basic hospitals begin operations in two rural municipalities of Darchula

By Lokendra Joshi,Darchula, Oct. 16: Basic health services have been launched from newly completed 10-bed hospitals in two rural municipalities -Naaugad and Malikarjun--of Darchula. 

These hospitals are part of the national initiative to expand healthcare services. These hospitals were built according to the decision of the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli-led government in 2020 when the ground for the construction of hospitals in 396 local levels across the country was broken simultaneously.

While foundation stones were laid for hospital buildings in all seven rural municipalities of Darchula, hospital construction has been completed only in two so far.

The hospital in Naugad Rural Municipality was completed a few months ago, and services are now available to locals. 

On October 8, Malikarjun Rural Municipality inaugurated its new hospital building, marking another significant milestone. 

The inauguration was led by Constituent Assembly member and former minister Ganesh Singh Thagunna, who urged the central government to ensure the provision of skilled medical staff and essential equipment for these hospitals.

Of nine local administrative divisions, the District Hospital is located in Mahakali Municipality, while Gokuleshwar Hospital is in Shailyashikhar Municipality. 

The government has a plan to establish basic hospitals in the remaining rural areas. 

Construction progress has been uneven across the seven municipalities. In Marma Rural Municipalities, 90 per cent of the work has been completed, said engineer Bikram Joshi. 

Similarly, in Vyas Rural Municipality, 65 per cent of construction work has been completed, said Mangal Singh Dhami, chairman of the rural municipality. 

In the same way, in Apihimal Rural Municipality, 55 per cent of the construction work has been completed, informed Bhakta Singh Thekare Bohora. 

However, the hospital projects in Lekam and Duhun rural municipalities have faced significant delays. 

Construction company, Yamuna and Jagdamba Builders JV, which was contracted for the project, has failed to fulfil its obligations as per the agreement.

Narendra Bahadur Singh Badal, chairman of Duhun Rural Municipality, stated that although a year has passed since the project was handed over, the builders have refused to continue the work.  The construction company has now promised to resume building the hospital facilities at both local levels after Dashain.

Ram Dutta Joshi, chairman of Lekam Rural Municipality, reported that the construction work remained incomplete despite repeated requests to the contractor to resume the project.

Locals are frustrated that the hospital buildings were not completed on time. 

People’s representatives attribute the delays to the negligence of the builders, stating that the quality and pace of construction have been unsatisfactory.