Construction of 50-bed hospital in Darchula faces significant delays, service delivery affected
Darchula: The construction of the 50-bed hospital building at the District Hospital in Darchula has been significantly delayed, with only 55 percent of physical work completed nearly four and a half years after the project began. The building, contracted to be completed within three years, is being constructed by Shyam Sundar Gorkha YR JV under the Intensive Urban and Building Construction Project Office, Baitadi, at a cost of Rs 264.827 million. The original completion target of Asad 23, 2081 BS has not been met.
Gokarna Joshi, sub-engineer of the construction company, stated that work on the third floor is currently ongoing. “Although work seems continuous, no significant physical progress has been observed,” he said. The building’s third floor has been demolished, and the company is in the process of requesting another extension of the construction deadline. Engineer Vishal Shrestha of the project office confirmed that the deadline extension process is underway for the second time.
The delay has severely affected hospital services. Dr. Rabindra Bhattarai of the District Hospital said that the lack of a permanent building makes it difficult to operate services efficiently, forcing patients to be treated in temporary structures. The shortage of organized space hampers supervision, complex operations, necessary tests, and proper care, particularly during the cold season. The hospital serves more than 200 patients daily, but services such as maternity care, ICU, video X-ray, and ultrasound face operational challenges due to the delay, according to the hospital’s information officer, Dammardatta Bhatta.
Civil society and stakeholders have criticized the slow progress and alleged negligence by the construction company and project office. Mahesh Bhatta, a civil society coordinator, said, “The residents are facing difficulties in accessing treatment due to delays. Action should be taken against the construction company that fails to complete work on time.”
The hospital also continues to operate without a permanent Medical Superintendent, a post vacant for 49 years since the hospital’s establishment in 2043 BS. Out of 22 permanent posts, only 13 have been filled, forcing one doctor to see an average of 215 patients. Despite operating beyond its approved 15-bed capacity with 35 beds, the hospital has managed with support from scholarships, contracts, provincial funding, and other organizations.
Dr. Bhattarai emphasized that with coordinated support and proper infrastructure, the hospital in this border district could provide systematic and effective healthcare services.