Thousands of children have been deprived of access to immunisation service in the district due to the indefinite Tarai shutdown enforced by Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha and India’s border blockade.

Doctors said all government health facilities, including Mahottari Hospital, have been facing a dearth of medicines and vaccines to administer to children.

Due to the indefinite shutdown and continued border blockade, supply of vaccines and medicines, including BCG, DPT, Polio Drops, Vitamin A and de-worming tablets, has been obstructed, according to the Child Health Division at the Mahottari District Public Health Office.

Around 110,000 children have been affected due to the unavailability of vaccination and medicines required to be administered to children in the district.

Police said the Tarai protests waged by Morcha for the past 103 days and border blockade for the past 63 days led to the shortage of vaccines and medicines at District Hospital, five primary health posts, 68 health centres and a Jaleshwor-based city clinic.

Dearth of medicines in health centres

PALPA: Various health facilities, including the District Hospital, are reeling under an acute shortage of drugs due to India’s unofficial blockade.

Dr Jhabindra Dhakal at the hospital said they have only of the total 70 types provided by the government for free, only 15 types of drugs are available in store of the health facility.

Likewise, Dhakal said the hospital also lacks medicines prescribed for diabetes as well as high blood pressure and medical equipment required for surgery.

Chhetra Bahadur Karki of Sajha Pharmacy at Tansen said the drug stores are facing shortage of medicines as supplies have come to a halt for more than a month due to the blockade. An official at the District Public Health Office, said medicines in local stores will last for one month. (RSS)