A local unit in Rukum (West) is all set to operate a hospital in a bid to provide quality health services to its people.

Sanibheri Municipality in the district has completed construction of a building at Chhotebagar to run a 15-bed rural municipality level hospital. The construction of another 12-room building is currently underway at a cost of Rs 23million provided by the federal government. The local unit has also allocated Rs 10.5 million budget for the hospital.

Chhabilal KC, the health coordinator of the local unit, said the health services at the hospital would be provided within the current fiscal year. According to him, the upcoming executive committee meeting of the local body will take important decisions to purchase tools, machines, furniture and other infrastructures required.

“Preparation is on to run the hospital soon. Construction of other remaining infrastructures is in full swing now,” said KC. To run operations, the rural municipality is planning to appoint a doctor and some auxiliary health workers, staff nurse and auxiliary nurse midwife on a contract basis.

Nara Bahadur Pun, the chairman of the local unit, said that perks and salary for the health employees will be managed from the rural municipality’s annual budget and with financial assistance provided by the federal government.