Shortage of health workers disrupts services at Tundikhel village clinic in Kanchanpur

Kanchanpur: Service delivery at the village clinic in Tundikhel, Bhimdatta Municipality-9, Kanchanpur, has been severely affected due to a shortage of health workers.

The clinic is currently operated by a single AHEB. Anmi Mamta Mahata, who was previously assigned to the clinic, has not returned after going on maternity leave a year and a half ago. According to AHEB Narayan Bohara, service provision has become challenging since Anmi secured employment elsewhere.

“I have been providing daily OPD services, but it has become difficult to manage essential services such as child vaccinations and pregnancy care,” said Bohara. “We have to call Anmi from another health institution for routine vaccinations.”

Due to the prolonged absence of Anmi, regular services including vaccinations, provision of vitamins, and pregnancy monitoring for children have been disrupted for the past 17 months. Currently, unskilled health workers from the Brahmadev Health Post visit once a month to conduct child vaccinations, requiring a two-hour walk each way. Devaki Awasthi, one such health worker, noted the challenge of balancing duties at Brahmadev while traveling to Tundikhel to ensure children receive vaccinations.

The lack of staff has also impacted maternal care, as there is a birthing center at the health post that requires attention when patients arrive.

Harisingh Dhami, information officer for Bhimdatta Municipality, stated that the municipality has already issued a letter requesting the absent health workers to return. “The shortage of staff has caused significant difficulties. We expect health workers to report soon and resume regular services,” he added.