Snail-paced hospital construction

Darchula: Despite the passage of five years since breaking ground for the construction of basic hospitals in the district, the construction is snail-paced, creating sheer inconvenience to the service seekers.

The government had decided to set up basic health facilities in seven places and even laid foundation stones five years back, but such facilities are awaiting completion.

The sluggish pace of construction has forced the people from Lekam, Duhu and Apil Himal to visit neighbouring municipalities, the District Hospital, and even the federal capital Kathmandu and the neighbouring country, India.

A local from Lekam, Lalit Singh Khatri, informed that they were bound to visit distant places even for minor health services for not having facilities in the locality. Construction of a 10-bed hospital building at Lekam rural municipality was contracted for Rs 70 million in 2077 but the work has just begun.

Jagadamba Yamuna JV is the contractor which got its term extended twice and began the work recently.

Similarly, the construction of a basic hospital at Duhu rural municipality has just been initiated.

It was also contracted in 2077. The 15-bed hospital at Byas rural municipality was contracted at Rs 31 million and is awaiting completion, according to chief administrative officer, Chandra Singh Kunwar.

RSS