Nepalgunj, May 19

Hundreds of patients waiting for getting surgery had to suffer the brunt of general strikes after all kinds of surgery services came to a halt for the past two weeks at the largest government hospital of the mid-west region.

Bheri Zonal Hospital was compelled to close its surgery services after anesthetist Dr. Nirmal Gyanwali resigned from the hospital two weeks ago.

The hospital informed that nearly 150 patients were forced to go to private hospitals due the absence of anesthetist in the hospital.

According to chief of the hospital Dr. Narendra Roy, the hospital had already informed the ministry about the vacant position of anesthetist in the hospital.

He said that the ministry had delayed in sending off new doctor in the vacant position.

Dr. Roy said that the Dr. Gyanwali’s sudden resignation had created the situation and that the ministry had been lingering the process for sending a new doctor in the place of Gyanwali.

"People with poor economic background who come to the hospital for treatment are compelled to return back due to the absence of a doctor," he said adding that many patients who couldn’t afford private hospitals due to their expensive costs were forced to return home without receiving treatment.

Pregnant women who chose the hospital for getting delivery services due to its well reputation were also forced to go to private hospitals.

Hundreds of patients from various hilly and terai districts flock everyday to Bheri Zonal hospital due to low treatment costs.

According to the hospital administration, the hospital had been performing 6-8 surgery everyday prior to Gyanwali’s resignation.

The hospital which treats more than one hundred thousand patients each year has been lacking various expert services for a long time.