Reconstruction of 270 health posts that were housed in rooms made available by local government or community are in limbo after unavailability of land in the aftermath of the April 25 earthquake.

The problem of land acquisition has halted the reconstruction of the health facilities which are first point of care at the community level. These health facilities are based in Bhaktapur, Dhading, Gorkha, Dolakha, Kathmandu, Kavrepalanchowk, Lalitpur, Makwanpur, Nuwakot, Okhaldhunga, Ramechap, Rasuwa, Sindhuli and Sindhupalchok districts.

Health posts, birthing centres and sub-health posts were earlier based in VDC offices, schools and land provided by community. After these buildings sustained serious damage in the earthquake, the Health Ministry is struggling to relocate these health facilities.

“The land should be in the name of the Health Ministry and we do not own land in these areas,” said Mahendra Shrestha, chief of Policy, Planning and International Cooperation Division. “Even Ministry of Land Reforms

has denied providing us land for now.”

Shrestha said they have taken up the issue to the National Reconstruction Authority which has assured to resolve the problem soon.

According to the Health Ministry it would require Rs 3.2 billion to reconstruct the new health facilities.

The ministry had earlier decided to upgrade the entire sub-health posts to health posts. Although some people are willing to donate land to set up the health facilities, the location is unsuitable, officials said.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry on Wednesday said they have already handed over 13 buildings to set up health facilities and additional 18 buildings are in process of completion.

In Rasuwa, 66 health facilities are being constructed while 60 facilities are being built in Gorkha.  

According to the detailed damage assessment conducted by the Health Ministry,

143 health facilities in 14 districts, 113 buildings in 17 districts needs to be reconstructed and the 306 facilities need repair and retrofitting. The project would cost over Rs 6 billion.