Budget allocated by health ministry for six basic health centres in Tanahun

By Amar Raj Naharki,Tanahun, Mar. 20: The construction of six basic health centres in various locations across Tanahun is set to progress following the allocation of funds by the Ministry of Health and Population. The budget was disbursed after Health Minister Pradeep Paudel instructed the ministry to prioritise funding for essential healthcare institutions that had requested financial support.

The health centres benefiting from the budget allocation include those in Bhimad Municipality-1 and Wards 5 and 8 of Rishing Rural Municipality. Additionally, budget has been allocated for a basic health centre in Shuklagandaki-10. Each of these wards has received Rs. 3.8 million. Similarly, Bhimad-3 and Anbukhaireni-5 have been allocated Rs. 3.7 million for their health centres, according to the minister’s secretariat. The ministry has also been prioritising the provision of medical equipment based on the requirements and availability of various health institutions and hospitals in Tanahun.

Meanwhile, the expansion of the Provincial Hospital in Damauli has gained momentum. The long-standing issue of land shortage, which had hindered the hospital’s upgrade to a 50-bed facility, has now been resolved. Minister Paudel has forwarded a proposal to the Gandaki Province government, seeking approval to acquire land currently used by the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Centre and the Agriculture Knowledge Centre.

The Ministry of Agriculture had previously agreed to transfer the land, and once the Gandaki Province Cabinet grants its approval, the federal government will officially allocate the land for hospital expansion. The hospital requires 5 ropani and 5 anna of land owned by the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Centre and an additional 2 ropani belonging to the Agriculture Knowledge Centre. Despite prolonged discussions about expanding the hospital, progress had been stalled due to the lack of a final decision on land acquisition.

During a recent inspection of the hospital, Minister Paudel reiterated his commitment to securing the necessary land for its expansion. He has taken proactive steps to advance the proposal through the Ministries of Agriculture and Finance. Once Gandaki Province gives its approval, the federal government will hand over the land to the hospital, allowing the expansion project to proceed under provincial jurisdiction.

Shanti Raman Wagle, Chief of the District Coordination Committee and Chairperson of the Hospital Management Committee, stated that upgrading the 15-bed facility is of utmost importance. He highlighted that since its upgrade to a hospital in 2002, the facility has been catering not only to Damauli but also to residents from neighbouring districts. However, due to rapid urbanisation and population growth, the existing infrastructure is inadequate to meet the increasing demand for healthcare services.

Despite repeated attempts to expand the hospital, concrete progress had remained elusive until Minister Paudel took decisive action. The federal government’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development had previously approved the transfer of land from the Agriculture Knowledge Centre and the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Centre for hospital expansion. However, the project had been delayed due to a lack of initiative.

The hospital, originally established as a health post in 1977, was upgraded to a Primary Health Centre in 1998 and later to a hospital in 2002. According to Dr. Paribartan Baral, Chief of the Provincial Hospital in Damauli, once the hospital is upgraded, it will be able to recruit additional government-appointed specialists, including physicians, surgeons, pediatricians, and gynecologists.