112 illegally run hospital ordered closure in Madhes Province

By Bijay Kumar Sah,Dhalkebar, Apr. 4: Madhes Province Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh has intensified actions against illegally operating hospitals, ordering the closure of Janakpur’s Sita Hospital once again.  Despite official notices for closure, the hospital was found secretly operating with five patients under treatment. Authorities shut it down, and police took hospital manager Madhu Mahato and staff member Subhash Mukhiya into custody.

Earlier, on February 8,  a team led by Chief Minister Singh had inspected the same hospital and ordered its closure due to the absence of proper registration documents. However, the facility resumed operations in defiance of the order, leading to renewed enforcement measures. Investigations revealed that the hospital lacked essential infrastructure and operated without fulfilling minimum standards.

During the inspection, the officials found no doctors present—only a manager—while patients were being admitted through intermediaries. Chief Minister Singh assured that all affected patients would be transferred to authorised medical institutions for proper treatment.

Similarly, in Rautahat, authorities arrested Anand Hospital’s operator, Umesh Prasad, after discovering that the facility was running without a valid permit. Previously, the Chief Minister had instructed its closure for failing to meet regulatory standards, yet it continued operations. Prasad was taken into custody by Shivanagar Area Police Office.

Under Chief Minister Singh’s leadership, Madhes Province has been cracking down on unauthorised hospitals. His administration has inspected 162 private healthcare facilities across major cities, including Janakpur, Birgunj, Bardibas and Rajbiraj. Of these, 112 unregistered hospitals have been ordered to shut down.

According to the Public Health Service Act 2018 (Clause 22), private or non-governmental health institutions must obtain a license before providing medical services. The law categorises unlicensed operations as an offense, warranting penalties. Additionally, the Public Health Service Regulations 2020 (Rule 12) prohibit running any private, non-governmental, cooperative or non-profit community health facility without prior authorisation.

Chief Minister Singh reiterated that strict regulatory measures will continue, stating, “Hospitals must adhere to all legal requirements. Healthcare services cannot be run like ordinary shops.” He emphasised that the province’s hospitals should be lawful, well-regulated and equipped with necessary resources.

With the Chief Minister’s firm policies in place, regulatory bodies are under increased pressure to enforce compliance. Authorities have given hospitals a two-month deadline to fulfill legal requirements. Those failing to renew their licenses or meet prescribed standards will face further action.

Singh affirmed that the government would persist in this campaign, highlighting that substandard hospitals endanger patients’ lives due to inadequate infrastructure, medical supplies and skilled personnel. While citisens have welcomed the crackdown, they also urge the government to improve access to alternative healthcare facilities and strengthen legally operating hospitals.

The province-wide inspection of illegal health institutions follows public complaints about unauthorised and substandard medical services, which have put patients’ lives at risk. Chief Minister Singh’s Press Advisor, Anil Kumar Karna stated that this decisive intervention was receiving widespread support from all sectors.