Medical services at the Achham District Hospital have been affected because of the hospital’s poor infrastructure.

“I had admitted my 12-year-old son to the hospital after he suffered from diarrhoea. It started raining at night and water seeped through the dilapidated roof of the hospital. I haven’t been able to sleep in the hospital for the past four days,” said Chandra Rawal of Mangalsain Municipality-12.

Biru Saud of Mangalsain-2 also shared a similar ordeal. Saud was admitted to the hospital five days ago after she fractured her leg. She said most of the beds in the hospital, including the bed she was kept in, were soaked because of the leakage.

The Achham District Hospital is a 28-bed hospital. Dr Manoj Bista, acting medical superintendent at the hospital, admitted that patients have been facing difficulties because of the hospital’s poor infrastructures.

“The hospital was roofed with galvanized zinc sheets four decades ago. The sheets are old and have not been changed till date,” said Bista. “The gynaecological ward, emergency ward and OPD section get flooded after it rains.”  

The hospital has not been able to provide effective health services due to its poor infrastructure, locals complain.

“We have requested the concerned authorities to repair the hospital’s old infrastructures, but they have not paid any heed,” said Dr Bista.

The hospital has no space for conducting post mortem. It does not even get round the electricity service, said health workers.

Achham District Hospital was declared one of the best hospitals for effective service delivery in the past. However, the hospital now lacks basic facilities, medicines and equipments.