Taulihawa-based Kapilvastu Hospital, which was ranked first in minimum service standards across the country just three years ago, now lies in disarray. The 50-bed hospital has turned into a referral centre due to a severe shortage of human resources, triggered by frequent transfers of its hospital chief, the medical superintendent.

The post of medical superintendent is typically held by a doctor of ninth or 10th level in the civil service hierarchy. However, the hospital is currently under the leadership of a sixth-level employee serving as the acting medical superintendent. As a result, doctors, other health workers, and employees have been deprived of allowances over the past few months, as the acting medical superintendent does not have financial authority to approve them.

Kapilvastu Hospital, established in 1972 with just 15 beds, has been hardest hit due to political wrangling between two ruling parties—Nepali Congress and CPN-UML—over the appointment of the medical superintendent of their choice. Health services have been severely affected as the hospital is held hostage by rival groups supporting and opposing particular candidates for the post of medical superintendent.

The district leaderships of both Congress and UML, however, deny any dispute regarding the appointment of the medical superintendent. “Both parties are in the government. We don’t have any dispute on this issue. We will soon reach a common understanding to appoint a medical superintendent,” said Abdul Kalam, Kapilvastu district unit president of the Nepali Congress.

In June 2023, the then medical superintendent Dr Kishor Banjade was transferred from Kapilvastu Hospital. Bipil Jaisawal, an eighth-level doctor, was immediately posted to the hospital on deputation as medical superintendent. Jaisawal was transferred after one year. In July 2024, it was time for Banjade to return as medical superintendent of the Kapilvastu Hospital. But he was again transferred to Koshi Hospital in Biratnagar in October.

Rakesh Kumar Sah, a sixth-level laboratory technician, is currently serving as the acting medical superintendent. The appointment of a permanent medical superintendent has been delayed as the Congress is hell-bent on appointing Jaisawal while the UML supports Banjade.

“There are seventh to ninth level doctors at the hospital who feel uneasy working under an acting medical superintendent of the sixth level. Even the acting medical superintendent feels uneasy assigning senior doctors,” a doctor told the Post, requesting anonymity.

Also, acting medical superintendent Sah does not have authority to make financial decisions, leaving health workers deprived of various allowances. As a result, doctors, medical officers, and nurses have started quitting their jobs. Kapilvastu Hospital has a total of 11 posts for medical officers, but currently the hospital is making do with just five officers.

According to the hospital administration, around 300 to 400 patients visited the hospital on a daily basis in the past, but now only around 150 patients come due to degrading service delivery.

“The hospital used to provide ultrasound services to more than 100 patients daily, but now the service is limited to just 25 people due to a lack of human resources. There is no radiologist at the hospital. Two trained doctors should examine patients and carry out the ultrasound services,” said Ratnakar Shukla, information at the hospital.

According to him, the hospital currently has just 10 staff nurses and auxiliary nurse midwives, although there are 18 posts. “The safe motherhood programme has also been affected due to the shortage of doctors and nurses,” he added.

A shortage of medicines is also looming large at the hospital. Dilip Kurmi, a resident of Yashodhara Rural Municipality, visited the hospital for the second dose of anti-rabies vaccine last week, but was turned away as there were no anti-rabies vaccines available.

Acting medical superintendent Sah admitted that health services have been affected in the hospital lately. “We are aware of the complaints from patients regarding the health services. We will restore the hospital to its previous state by fulfilling the necessary human resource requirements within one month,” assured Sah.