Aagya Khabar
Malangwa, Sarlahi
The Provincial Hospital located in Malangwa, the district headquarters of Sarlahi, has been embroiled in internal tension for the past two days. Following the assault of a doctor by a patient’s relatives, healthcare workers have expressed outrage and halted all services except emergency care.
On Monday night, Dr. Krishnajung Sah, an orthopedic specialist at the hospital, was physically assaulted by the relatives of a patient. The incident reportedly occurred during a dispute over the referral of the patient, who had a bone fracture, to another facility for further treatment.
As a result of the incident, the hospital’s Outpatient Department (OPD) has remained completely shut since Tuesday. According to Medical Superintendent Dr. Sanjeev Singh, healthcare workers have warned that they will continue to boycott services until legal action is taken against the perpetrators.
The Nepal Medical Association also issued a press release condemning the incident and demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible. The association has urged the government to take the security of health workers seriously.
The suspension of OPD services has caused immense difficulties for hundreds of patients who visit the hospital daily for treatment. With only emergency services in operation, all other healthcare services have come to a halt.
As incidents of violence and intimidation in sensitive sectors like healthcare continue to occur, the silence of the government has drawn increasing criticism.
