Lack of budget hampers operation of 15-bed hospital in Kailari Rural Municipality

Dhangadhi: The newly constructed 15-bed hospital in Kailari Rural Municipality, Kailali, is facing operational challenges due to a lack of budget.

Built in line with the federal government's policy to establish a 15-bed hospital in every municipality, the hospital remains non-operational due to insufficient funds for managing human resources and procuring equipment, said Yagam Kalel, the information officer of the rural municipality. Although a grand structure has been prepared for the hospital, the municipality currently lacks the necessary budget to run it.

Kalel emphasized that despite the completion of the building, the operation and management of the hospital have become a significant challenge. The construction of the hospital building in Baijpur, Ward No. 5, began following a contract signed on 29th, 2070, as part of the Government of Nepal’s initiative.

Royal Construction JV completed the hospital at a cost of Rs 18 crores 52 lakhs, including VAT. However, due to a funding shortfall, the rural municipality has yet to pay over Rs 3 crores 4 lakhs to the construction company. Naresh Chaudhary, head of the health department of the rural municipality, said that the construction company has not officially handed over the hospital because of the outstanding payment.

Chaudhary added that while the hospital building is ready, it is still awaiting the necessary budget to become operational. According to him, a minimum of Rs 50 million per year is required to run the 15-bed hospital with specialist services.

Locals have urged the authorities to commence operations at the hospital promptly, citing easier access to medical care within the village. The hospital was built on the site of the former Sarvodaya Basic School, which was used as a Covid hospital during the pandemic. Residents are pressing for the hospital’s operation, stressing that the removal of the school should be justified by the early functioning of the hospital.