Complex Surgeries Drive Increase in Patient Visits to Bajura District Hospital
Bajura: The number of patients visiting Bajura District Hospital has increased following the commencement of complex surgeries at the facility.
The rise in patient volume has been attributed to the successful performance of complex procedures, including surgeries for complicated obstetric cases, emergency appendectomies, and reverse sural artery flap surgeries.
Public trust in the hospital is growing as the 15-bed facility begins offering reliable services at affordable rates alongside routine health check-ups and treatments.
Bajura is one of the country’s remote mountainous districts, and residents previously had to travel outside the district for surgical procedures.
Despite limited manpower, medicines, equipment, and resources, the hospital has started providing specialist health services, leading to an increase in the number of patients seeking care there.
Nripraj Giri, the hospital’s Information Officer, stated that patient numbers have increased since the introduction of effective specialist services. More than 150 patients visit the hospital daily for treatment, including patients from neighboring districts such as Humla and Mugu.
Services are currently being provided by MDGP (General Practice) physicians and specialists in orthopedics.
“The need to travel as far as Dhangadhi or Kathmandu for various services and surgeries—previously caused by a lack of specialist doctors—has ended,” said Information Officer Giri. “Now, even most complex surgeries are being successfully performed right here.”
In addition to daily OPD and surgical services, the hospital provides round-the-clock emergency health care. He stated that the hospital provides treatment for conditions including pediatrics, gynecology and obstetrics, dermatology, ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) issues, and mental health, as well as emergency medical cases.
Dr. Harish Bahadur Malla, the Acting Medical Superintendent, noted that the district hospital has consistently provided life-saving and specialized healthcare services despite limited resources.
Local residents have found great relief now that services—including those provided by specialist doctors—are available at the hospital, eliminating the previous necessity of traveling outside the district for routine medical care.
35,000 Patients Served and 351 Referred in a Year
Approximately 35,000 patients received treatment at the district hospital over the course of a year. In the fiscal year 2082/83, 34,955 individuals underwent health check-ups and treatment, while 351 patients were referred to other facilities.
In the current fiscal year, 6,461 patients have received treatment at the hospital up to the end of Bhadra. Patients visit the facility not only from the district’s nine local levels but also from the neighboring districts of Mugu, Kalikot, and Humla.
Additionally, the hospital reported that 139 successful orthopedic surgeries were performed within just the first two months of the current fiscal year.
Hospital Reliant on Contract Staff
The district hospital has a sanctioned staff strength of 18 positions, including one Medical Superintendent (9th level) and one 8th-level doctor. However, the current workforce consists of only nine individuals, including the Acting Medical Superintendent (8th level).
The hospital stated that the remaining staff—including medical officers—consists of 89 employees working on a contract basis.
“The infrastructure is adequate, but while it should be a 50-bed hospital, it currently has only 15 beds, resulting in a shortage of staff,” he said. “We have added some services, but the lack of personnel is hindering service delivery.”
Dr. Malla stated that if the Sudurpaschim Provincial Government immediately upgraded the district hospital to a 50-bed facility, it would bring significant relief to residents of remote areas.
He noted that due to insufficient manpower and sanctioned positions relative to the hospital’s physical infrastructure and service expansion, they are forced to manage services using only the resources currently available.
MDGP Services Available After Two Months
Hospital Chief Dr. Malla stated that service delivery has improved recently following the Sudurpaschim Provincial Government’s deployment of MDGP doctor Rahul Shrestha on a scholarship-based contract.
According to the hospital administration, the regular presence of an orthopedic surgeon has facilitated better treatment and surgical services for orthopedic and neurological conditions.
Medicine Procurement Hindered by Lack of Provincial Budget
Hospital Chief Dr. Harish Bahadur Malla reported that the failure to receive the budget from the Sudurpaschim Provincial Government for the current fiscal year has stalled the medicine procurement process, creating a potential shortage of free medicines at the district hospital.
“There is sufficient medicine in the pharmacy,” he said, “but while we are supposed to provide 98 types of free medicines, we currently provide only about 50 types; the lack of a procurement budget is causing difficulties.”
Despite the increasing patient load at the hospital, challenges persist in managing medicines, equipment, and manpower. Stocks of free medicines are also dwindling, a situation that directly impacts residents of remote areas.
While there have been gradual improvements in physical infrastructure, specialist services, and surgical facilities, the district hospital continues to face significant challenges regarding adequate staffing, the regular supply of medicines, state-of-the-art equipment, and budget management.
It appears possible to alleviate the burden on residents of remote areas who are currently compelled to travel outside the district—spending large sums of money—to access healthcare services ranging from routine treatments to complex medical procedures.
However, the hospital has faced repeated criticism due to negligence on the part of its administration and management committee; issues such as doctors failing to arrive on time for patient care have created situations where patients endure unnecessary hardship.
Local resident Vishnu Karki noted that, although the hospital is delivering more effective healthcare services than in the past, there is a need to further strengthen areas such as the availability of specialist doctors, state-of-the-art equipment, the regular supply of medicines, and overall management.