Health Minister Poudel to inaugurate emergency service at Geta hospital amid local protest

Dhangadhi: Health Minister Pradeep Poudel is set to inspect Geta Hospital and inaugurate its emergency service on Wednesday afternoon, marking his second visit to the hospital in seven months.

Minister Poudel last inspected Geta Hospital on Poush 23 last year. While he was welcomed by locals during his previous visit, this time residents have announced protests, expressing dissatisfaction over unfulfilled commitments.

Locals argue that instead of addressing their demand to convert the hospital, established under Shaheed Dasharath Chand University of Health Sciences, into a 300-bed facility, the minister is preparing to inaugurate a 10-bed emergency service that has already been operational for the past three months.

Struggle Committee member Binod Bista said inaugurating the emergency service undermines efforts to advance the university’s operations. “We would welcome the inauguration of a 300-bed hospital, but we will oppose any attempt to inaugurate a 10-bed emergency hospital,” he said.

Struggle Committee Secretary Dharma Singh Kunwar also warned of strong resistance if the emergency service is forcibly inaugurated. Likewise, Coordinator Lok Raj Pandey (Ago) criticized the move as “shameful,” pointing out that the government has yet to implement provisions of the university bill and act, including the appointment of key office bearers within three months.

The Shaheed Dasharath Chand Health Sciences University Bill was passed by the House of Representatives and certified by President Ram Chandra Poudel on June 4. However, no progress has been made on forming the university assembly or appointing officials since then.

During his previous visit, Minister Poudel had pledged to operate a 300-bed hospital by Asad, estimating the cost at Rs 600–650 million. He had also stated that if sufficient funds could not be secured, at least a 100-bed hospital would be made operational by the same timeframe. He further assured that MBBS classes could begin from the next academic session, even if the 300-bed hospital was not fully operational, by obtaining approval from the Medical Education Commission.

Despite these commitments, the minister is now preparing to inaugurate a 10-bed emergency facility. Geta Hospital, which began operations on Kartik 1, 2080, is currently functioning as a 50-bed temporary hospital.

Hospital Information Officer Nain Singh Karki confirmed that Minister Poudel will inaugurate the emergency service during his visit, scheduled alongside other programs in Doti and Dadeldhura.