A janitor working at Bayalpata Hospital in Achham district who sustained critical injuries after setting himself on fire on Monday died while receiving treatment at Bheri Hospital, local police confirmed.

Siddhartha Aauji, a resident of Saphebagar Municipality, Ward No. 6, set himself on fire after pouring petrol on his body in front of the hospital on Monday morning. The man is one among 33 workers who lost their jobs after the hospital management recently decided not to renew their contracts.

Min Bohara, who accompanied neighbour Aauji to Bheri Hospital said, “We reached the hospital around 3:30 pm on Monday. The hospital declared him dead around 4 pm.” Narpati Bhatta of Saphebagar Area Police also confirmed his death.

Aauji had been airlifted to Nepalgunj as his treatment was not possible at Bayalpata Hospital, said Chief District Officer Punya Bikram Paudel.

Bishal Pandit, another worker who also lost his job recently, said Aauji was in financial troubles and emotional distress after the hospital handed him his dismissal letter two months ago.

“I used to work as a security guard and he (Aauji) cleaned the toilets. We were still under the contract for two more months when we were fired,” said Pandit. “Senior employees of the hospital scolded us when we visited the hospital after we were dismissed. They called the police and chased us away.”

The hospital, however, said that 33 employees on contract had been removed in mid-May following a review of their work performance, due to financial constraints.

“The financial support we received from foreign donors has slumped in the past two years. We repeatedly asked the federal and provincial governments for support, but we haven’t heard from them,” said Dr Bikash Gauchan, health care director at the hospital, run by Nyaya Health Nepal, a non-governmental organisation.