The chairperson and director of BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital (BPKMCH) in Chitwan have furnished their clarifications to the Ministry of Health (MoH) over several complaints related to hospital management. 

Health Minister Gagan Thapa had sought clarifications from BPKMCH Chairman Dr Prakash Raj Giri and Executive Director Dr Chin Bahadur Pun over complaints about financial irregularities, radioactive waste management and hospital administration’s failure to effectively mobilise human resources. 

A team formed by the MoH had inspected the hospital and found that the hospital representatives were not paying attention to maintenance of medical equipment and procurement of new machines. 

“Patients are compelled to go to private hospitals due to lack of proper treatment at the hospital. The hospital’s arrears stand at over Rs 460 million,” said one of the members of the inspection team. 

The hospital has been receiving financial assistance of Rs 250 million annually from the government. 

The hospital director was found distributing money in advance to staffers in a haphazard manner. 

Shyam Lamichhane, chairman of Cancer Sewa Samaj, said hospital staffers started to speak about the irregularities and carelessness of the hospital after the team inspected the hospital. 

“Staff have accused the chairperson and director of being irresponsible. They are of the view that the hospital is failing to provide better services to patients,” said Lamichhane. 

GN Mahato, chief of the hospital administration, said the hospital should be operated under a proper chain of command. “The hospital can be reformed if the representatives and staff of the hospital work honestly according to their responsibilities,” said Mahato.