Sanibheri Rural Municipality, one of the remote local units in Rukum (West), has started providing health services to patients from a 15-bed hospital that was upgraded from a health post on February 14.

The municipal office recently upgraded Simli Health Post in Chhotebagar of Ward 7 to a 15-bed hospital. A team of health workers led by Dr Kabin Basnet started treating patients from Sunday.

The rural municipality has appointed health workers and technical staff on a contract basis to operate the hospital.

On February 14, Janardan Sharma, a member of the House of Representatives, inaugurated the hospital.

Nara Bahadur Pun, chairman at the rural municipality, said the hospital was set up in accordance with the constitutional provision mandating each rural municipality to establish a hospital with at least 15 beds.

“The Local Government Operation Act authorises the local unit to establish and operate a fully facilitated hospital,” said Pun.

The rural municipality has also fixed the posts of health workers and other staff by implementing the Hospital Operation Working Guidelines. Chhabilal KC, the coordinator at the Health Section of the rural municipality, said they have approved the posts of 32 staff, including three MBBS doctors and a medical specialist, for gynaecology, pediatric and orthopaedic departments.

“In the first phase, we have mobilised health workers led by an MBBS doctor,” said KC, informing that specialist’s services will also start soon.

The hospital has started providing 24-hour emergency services, OPD, IPD and lab facilities, maternity and X-ray services, and minor surgery facilities.

Kamal KC, a resident of Sanibheri, said the villagers are finally feeling the presence of the local government.

“We don’t have to go out of the village to seek medical treatment now. That is a relief for us,” said KC. The hospital also has an ambulance to facilitate patients from surrounding remote areas.

Pun said his office has also established community health units in each ward. “Nepal's constitution recognises health as a fundamental right of the people,” said Pun, adding that they have established the hospital despite limited resources. The rural municipality invested Rs 6.4 million on medical equipment and staff management in the current fiscal year.

Out of six local units in Rukum (West), Sanibheri is the second local unit to have established a hospital. Aathbiskot Municipality set up a city hospital for its residents one-and-a-half years ago.