Patients with seasonal flue rises in Sindhuli Hospital

By Baburam Devkota, Sindhulimadi, Aug. 24: With the onset of monsoon season, the number of patients has been increasing in Sindhuli district. 

The number of patients suffering from diseases including fever, typhoid, diarrhea, and asthma has increased because of consuming contaminated water and food.

According to Sindhuli Hospital, the number of patients visiting hospital for treatment has increased from around 300 to 500 daily with the onset of the rainy season.

Medical Superintendent of the Hospital Dr Abhishek Thapaliya said that seasonal flue is the reason behind the increase in patients.

He said, "Currently, 400 to 500 patients are visiting coming to the OPD daily and 40 to 50 to the emergency room."

 He also said that most of the patients are suffering from fever, typhoid, diarrhea, and asthma.

Sindhuli Hospital, which has expanded its capacity from 50 beds to 100 beds, has 11 specialist (consultant) doctors and nine medical officers.

Hospital Development Committee Chairman Shatish Chandra Dhakal said that the Insurance Board has not sent the insurance amount since August of last year.

He said, "The insurance board has yet to pay the hospital about 70 million rupees for more than 100,000 patients. The hospital's pharmacy is running empty due to the inability to purchase medicines due to lack of finances."

According to him, while patients with health insurance have been receiving 98 types of medicines free of charge from pharmacies, most of the medicines have now run out.

The main source of income for hospital is the amout of patients. However, in lack of that amount has stopped further medicine procurement. More than half of patients visiting hospital are involved in Health Insurance. So far, 143, 333 are involves in health insurance. 

Chairman Dhakal said, "The amount to be given to doctors as incentives has been withheld and we have been luring them saying that they will get a lump sum later."