The head of the COVID-19 department of Seti Provincial Hospital still on leave

Dhangadhi: Seti Provincial Hospital is the only referral hospital in the Far-Western region. It is the main treatment center for Coronavirus in the state. However, Dr. Sher Bahadur Kamar, the head of the corona department of the same hospital, has been on home leave for a long time, which has directly affected the doctors, staff and patients.

According to a circular issued by the Ministry of Health and Population, health workers can be on leave only in case of emergencies but Dr. Kamar has been in Kathmandu for the last one month even though he is not allowed to stay on home leave except during emergencies. According to Dilip Singh Saund, administration officer of the hospital, Dr. Kamar was on leave from April 21 to 25 after informing the office in writing.

He was on leave saying his wife had a corona infection. Thereafter he extended his leave on 26th April to 9th after giving verbal information. He is again on leave after sending a written request to the hospital administration. However, the last leave period ended on May 19, Administration Officer Saund told Dinesh Khabar. But he has not returned yet. Dr. Kamar said that during the initial leave period, he treated his sick wife by keeping her in isolation at home.

During the last leave period, he was on leave saying that his children were also sick. Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr. Hemraj Pandey, informed that Dr. Kamar's family members were ill and informed the hospital that he was on leave till now. Medical Superintendent Dr. Pandey said that there was no problem in the treatment as three physicians were deployed in the absence of Dr. Kamar. According to the hospital, 103 infected patients were being treated till Saturday evening. Of them, 16 were undergoing treatment in ICU and 83 were on oxygen support, according to the hospital.