The health condition of street children in Dharan, Sunsari, is found to be miserable with the abandoned minors suffering from several physical and mental ailments.

During a health check-up conducted by a team led by paediatrician Dr Arun Kumar Singh on Saturday, the street children were found to be suffering from ailments such as anaemia, malnutrition, chest and skin infections and stress. The team examined 20 street children at Bargachhi. 

According to UPCA Nepal, a social organisation working for street children, there are around 100 of them in the city.

“It is found that the authorities concerned should be responsible for the health of the children,” said Dr Singh, who works at the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences 

in Dharan. The children were found to be enduring physical, mental and social stresses, he added.

Dr Singh demands that the state should make plans to ensure good future 

of the minors. 

“The street children have addictive use of alcohol, cigarette and sniffing glue, etc. They can be a burden on society if they are not provided with psychological treatment and socialised on time,” said Dr Singh.

According to him, some of the ailing children who need immediate treatment would be treated at the BPKIHS. Dr Singh said that doctors, staff nurses and employees at the BPKIHS as well as some donors are preparing to set up a fund for the treatment and welfare of the street children.

Dr Singh and his team examined the street children at the request of the Kirat Yakthung Chumlung and the Rotaract Club of Dharan Ghopa.