The largest government hospital in Koshi Province, Koshi Hospital in Biratnagar, is facing a significant problem of inadequate bed capacity, leading to difficulties in providing treatment.
Due to the scarcity of beds, patients visiting the emergency room of Koshi Hospital, which has a capacity of 40 beds, are being treated while sitting on window ledges due to the lack of available beds.
Hemraj Magar, a 70-year-old resident of Biratnagar Metropolitan City-3, who was admitted to Koshi Hospital for snakebite treatment, expressed his discomfort in receiving treatment while sitting on the window ledge due to the limited space. He voiced concerns about the risk of falling during treatment in such precarious conditions.
Another patient, 21-year-old Janukakumari Rishidev from Jahda Rural Municipality-4, who was bitten by a snake on July 16, was also treated while sitting on a window ledge in the emergency department. The shortage of beds forced the healthcare workers to accommodate admitted patients in shared beds, windows, trolleys, and stretchers.
The emergency room at Koshi Hospital has a capacity of 40 beds, which are consistently occupied. In addition, the hospital has 32 beds in the medical ward, 12 beds in the ICU, and five beds in the HDU, making it clear that more beds are urgently required in the emergency room, ICU, medical ward, and HDU.
Koshi Hospital serves around 1,000 to 1,500 patients daily in the OPD and emergency room, with approximately 100 to 150 patients requiring admission. Unfortunately, due to the lack of beds, admitted patients often have to endure treatment while seated near windows or on the cold floor. This situation severely affects their well-being.
Gajendra Prasad Yadav, in-charge of the emergency room at Koshi Hospital, acknowledged the painful circumstances faced by patients who receive treatment while sitting at the window once all the beds are occupied. He emphasized that many patients who visit Koshi Hospital are financially disadvantaged and weak, and it is their responsibility to provide treatment to as many patients as possible. Yadav mentioned that they are compelled to accommodate up to two patients per window and one bed when the emergency room reaches its full capacity.
Dr. Chandra Jha, the Medical Superintendent of Koshi Hospital, attributed the problem to a shortage of manpower, noting that each health worker often has to attend to around 30 patients. However, he assured that the issue would be addressed in the coming days. Dr. Jha stated that the newly appointed development committee of the hospital would convene a meeting to discuss the matter and explore options for increasing staff capacity.
According to Article 35 of the 2015 Constitution of Nepal, health-related rights are recognized as fundamental rights. Article 35 (1) guarantees that every citizen has the right to receive basic health services free of charge from the state, and no individual shall be deprived of emergency health services.
