People in Siraha are compelled to travel outside the district for treatment due to a shortage of doctors at health institutions. 

There are only four government doctors in Siraha, where well over 600,000 people reside. The doctor-patient ratio in the district is 1:150,000 against the WHO-prescribed threshold of 1:1,000.

The government has allocated 10 doctor positions for two hospitals and four primary health centres in the district. Dr Dayashankarlal Karna, chief of the District Public Health Office, said doctors’ shortage in government health facilities have greatly affected the people, particularly those who come from poor economic background.

He said he has been frequenting the Department of Health with the request to fill the vacant doctor positions, but to no avail.