Lack of specialist doctors at Sindhuli Hospital: Surgical services come to a halt

Nepal Health News, Sindhulimadhi – Sindhuli Hospital, the largest healthcare institution in Sindhuli district, is currently facing disruptions in its services due to a shortage of specialist doctors.

Although the 50-bed hospital was upgraded to a 100-bed provincial hospital last year, it has not been able to provide services accordingly due to the lack of medical personnel. According to hospital sources, out of 11 sanctioned posts for specialist doctors, 6 positions are currently vacant. Similarly, out of 9 sanctioned posts for medical officers, one position is vacant following a transfer.

The surgical services have been completely halted since May 14 (Jestha 1) mainly due to the absence of an anesthesiologist. Acting hospital director Dr. Abhishek Thapaliya stated that the issue arose after the contract of a two-year term anesthesiologist expired at the end of April. “The permanent anesthesiologist had already been transferred earlier. With the contract doctor’s term ending, all surgeries are now suspended,” he said.

Despite advertising the position twice—in July and February—the hospital did not receive any applications for the anesthesiologist role. The position of medical officer has been temporarily filled through local-level contractual appointments.

More than 350 patients seek services daily through the outpatient and emergency departments. Although CT scan services are available at the hospital, due to the absence of a radiologist for the past two years, the service is being run in coordination with hospitals in Kathmandu, according to Hospital Development Committee Chairman Satish Chandra Dhakal.

The hospital also lacks specialists in ENT (ear, nose, throat) and dermatology.

There are also considerable challenges in terms of physical infrastructure. Although the provincial government declared it a 100-bed hospital, only 85 beds are currently in operation due to a lack of adequate buildings. Chairman Dhakal mentioned that there are not enough residential quarters for doctors either.

Five years ago, the old hospital building was demolished to construct a new four-block, disability-friendly (with elevator) structure on the same site. However, even this new building is not sufficient to handle 100-bed capacity. Built with support from the federal government at a cost of NPR 219.8 million, the hospital still requires additional infrastructure to operate at full capacity.

The Hospital Development Committee has already submitted a proposal through the Urban Development Office to the provincial government and then to the Federal Ministry of Health for the construction of a new building.