Bardiya Hospital's ICU remains unoperational

BY YAGYA PRASAD SAPKOTA,Bardiya, Mar. 18: The High Dependency Unit (HDU) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Bardiya Hospital, built at a cost of millions, have not yet come into operation. These well-equipped wards were established five years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic with investments from Bardiya Hospital and local levels in Bardiya district. However, they remain non-operational and neglected.  

The wards are equipped with oxygen-supported beds, cardiac monitors and other essential medical facilities. However, due to prolonged inactivity, many of these medical devices are now at risk of deterioration. Despite having specialised beds that can function even without electricity, they have not been brought into use and are starting to degrade. The hospital currently has 13 ICU beds and 12 HDU beds.  

These units were constructed on the upper floor of the old hospital building with an investment of approximately Rs. 25 million, including necessary medical equipment. As the wards remain non-functional, the equipment is deteriorating, forcing critically ill patients from Bardiya to travel to Nepalgunj, Kathmandu or even Lucknow, India, for intensive care services.  

According to Bardiya Hospital, around 25 additional personnel, including medical officers, anesthesiologists, staff nurses and support staff, are required to bring the ICU and HDU into operation. The hospital estimates that approximately Rs. 10 million is needed solely to manage the additional human resource..  

Dr. Subash Kumar Pandey, Senior Medical Superintendent of Bardiya Hospital, stated that the ICU and HDU remain non-operational due to a shortage of medical personnel. “We are struggling to run even the general wards with the limited staff we have,” he said. 

He further said that if specialist doctors, medical officers and nursing staff were available, the ICU and HDU services could be operated regularly. Due to this manpower shortage, the hospital is often compelled to refer critically ill patients to other medical facilities outside the district.  

Bardiya Hospital currently treats hundreds of patients daily, and the patient load has been increasing. In the fiscal year 2023/24, the hospital provided services to 119,432 patients, compared to 115,718 in the fiscal year 2022/23 and 107,478 in fiscal year 2021/22. Although the hospital was initially designated as a 50-bed facility, it has been providing services for up to 80 beds, according to hospital spokesperson Keshav Neupane.  

Despite having an approved staff quota of 59 permanent employees, Bardiya Hospital currently has only 28 permanent staff. Additionally, the Hospital Development Committee has employed 55 personnel, while another 145 staff members are working under contract and temporary basis.