Dr Sunil Mani Pokharel said they have 125 beds at the gynecology and obstetrics department but they receive around 40 to 45 expecting mothers each day. “That’s why we have no option other than keeping women on the floor after delivery,” he said. The hospital has a total of 435 beds.

Dr Pokharel said though the health facility is second only to the Capital-based Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital in terms of the number of delivery per day, it is facing problems due to the lack of infrastructure.

Hospital officials said they provided maternity services to 10,000 women last year and this year the number is expected to rise. Women from around 20 districts come to the hospital as it has experienced nurses and doctors, said medical superintendant at the hospital Maniklal Pradhan. Maternity services are provided free of charge at the health facility.

Pradhan said the problem has already been reported to the Health Ministry and that they have demanded 500 additional beds, including 200 for maternity ward alone. At present, there are six doctors and 30 nurses in the ward and officials say it is insufficient. “There should have been 15 doctors and 60 nurses in the ward,” said Dr Pokhrel, who is also the chief of the department. The hospital also lacks operating tables and neonatal intensive care units, he added.

“We cannot return pregnant women saying we lack beds,” said Hospital Development Committee Chirman Bijay Subedi. “As people trust us with providing quality service, we are compelled to serve them by keeping them even on the floor.” Though there are other health facilities in the area, people prefer the hospital for maternity services.