ICU and ventilator unused for six years; treatment center in disarray due to lack of skilled doctors

Nepal Health News, Sarlahi – The ICU and ventilator equipment at the Snakebite Treatment Center in Nawalpur, located in Lalbandi Municipality-4, have remained unused for the past six years. The primary reason is the lack of skilled doctors capable of operating such equipment.

According to the center's chairman, Uddhav Prasad Paudel, the equipment—procured through an investment of millions—has been left idle due to the absence of qualified medical professionals to operate them. The center recently opened applications for doctors and even conducted an exam. Although five candidates applied and one passed, that individual has not responded to the center’s call for appointment, said Paudel.

He further explained that doctors are often reluctant to work there due to the fear of being blamed for treatment failures. An incident in 2019, when a two-year-old girl died and the center was vandalized and doctors assaulted, has had a lasting impact.

Following the incident, the Madhesh Province Government and Lalbandi Municipality jointly spent NPR 3.5 million to procure new ICU and ventilator machines, but these have yet to be used. Although two of the eight health workers at the center (including the current MBBS doctor) were sent to Dharan for training, they too are hesitant to operate the machines.

Patients in critical condition from snakebites require ICU and ventilator support, but fear of handling the equipment and the associated treatment risks have discouraged doctors. Paudel noted that hiring a skilled doctor would require paying a salary of over NPR 200,000 per month—beyond the center’s capacity.

While the government provides anti-snake venom free of charge, the center must purchase other medicines and chemicals on its own. Patients are generally charged NPR 2,500, while lifetime members of the institution pay only NPR 500.

Currently, the center spends NPR 173,000 per month on staff salaries. Additionally, the Nepali Army has deployed two personnel to provide 24-hour service at its own expense.

According to the center’s in-charge and health assistant, Jagarnath Yadav, treatment of patients brought in during early stages of snakebite is manageable, but critical cases must be referred to Birgunj or Janakpur. “ICU and ventilator support is essential to save the lives of critical patients,” he said, “but due to a lack of skilled manpower, the equipment remains unused.”

Lalbandi Mayor Basudev Adhikari stated that even doctors at the municipal hospital lack the training to operate ICU or ventilator equipment, which is why all efforts have failed. “We tried various approaches, but couldn’t get the ICU at the snakebite treatment center operational,” said Adhikari.

Meanwhile, with the rise in temperatures, snakebite cases are increasing—but the ICU and ventilator room remains locked.