Understaffing hits health services in mid-west region
RUDRA KHADKA
NEPALGUNJ, Sept 13: Health services in the Mid-Western Region have been badly affected as hospitals and health centers there have remained understaffed for a long time.
According to Regional Health Directorate, around fifty percent of the positions have been lying vacant in the hospitals and health centers.
Out of 167 positions for doctors in 17 hospitals and 29 primary health centers in 15 districts of the region, 106 positions are still vacant. Although the health ministry has repeatedly directed the health workers to reach their work stations, they have been turning a deaf ear.
According to the director at the health directorate Dr Ashok Nath Pyakurel, the heath service in the region has suffered greatly. Most of the doctors posted in the remote areas are on study leave.
In the 29 Primary Health Centers in the Mid-western Region, only six centers have doctors.
There are 3,630 positions for heath workers in the Mid-Western Region. However, only 2,971 positions are currently filled.
The region has higher child mortality rate than the overall national average. The national mortality rate for the children under five years of age is 54 per thousand while it is 73 per thousand in this region. Due to the higher illiteracy and the lack of awareness, the region has higher reproduction of 3.2 when the nation rate is 2.6.
Minister for Health and Population Rajendra Mahato urged health workers to devote themselves to the service of the people. Health secretary Prabin Mishra said that problems would be solved only after the government effectively implements a health Act.
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Understaffing Hits Health Services In Mid-west Region
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