Nepal’s Public Hospitals in Crisis, Says Lawmaker

Nepali Congress Party lawmaker Ramesh Mallah has expressed concern over the dire state of the country’s healthcare sector, drawing the government’s attention to the issue.

Speaking at a meeting of the Education, Health, and Information Technology Committee on Thursday, Mallah highlighted the deplorable condition of public hospitals and the lack of administrative leadership, which he said has forced citizens to suffer.

Mallah noted that access to healthcare, a fundamental right of citizens, has been weakening, and public hospitals have become ‘sick’ themselves.

‘The current situation shows that the deterioration of the healthcare sector is one of the main reasons for the decline in citizens’ living standards and the rise in poverty. This is a very serious issue,’ he said.

Mallah cited the example of Bir Hospital, where the vice-chancellor has been appointed, but other officials and directors have not been appointed, resulting in a halt in procurement processes.

‘Doctors have to buy masks and gloves themselves, and patients have to purchase them too. The MRI and CT scan machines at Bir Hospital and Bhairahawa Hospital have been out of order for a long time, but the Ministry has not taken notice,’ he said.

The government’s decision to sack officials from various agencies through ordinances has left six councils, six health educational institutions, and 19 federal hospitals under the Ministry without leadership for a long time, Mallah pointed out.

‘There are 78 vacancies in Karnali. Despite repeated advertisements by the provincial government, doctors are not willing to go there. Even when scholarship students are sent, they do not want to go to their workplaces. The state needs to bring a solid policy to address this,’ he said.

Mallah accused the government of creating institutional crises by removing officials without proper preparation and alternatives.