Health Minister Poudel inaugurates 10-bed emergency room amidst calls for 300-bed hospital

Dhangadhi: While the struggle for the establishment of Shaheed Dasharath Chand Health Sciences University continues, Health and Population Minister Pradeep Poudel has inaugurated a 10-bed emergency room at Geta Hospital without informing the local community.

Preparations had been underway to inaugurate the emergency service on Wednesday, but the program was postponed after the Sangharsh Samiti protested that only 10 beds were being inaugurated despite promises to operate a 300-bed hospital.

Lokraj Pandey ‘Ago’, coordinator of the Sangharsh Samiti, said, “A 10-bed emergency service has been secretly inaugurated. Our demand remains the operation of a 300-bed hospital and the start of MBBS education. The agitation will continue until these demands are met.”

Despite over Rs 6 billion spent on physical infrastructure in the Geta area, the hospital remains limited to 50 beds. Locals and the Sangharsh Samiti have repeatedly pressured the government due to delays in the university’s establishment.

Pandey added that the Health Minister inaugurated the emergency room while ignoring provisions of the university act. He has urged the Prime Minister to immediately start MBBS education by opening a fully functional 300-bed hospital.