On July 2nd, Ratnahari Hospital in Damauli, Byas Municipality-4, was subjected to a lockdown by the relatives of a deceased individual. The family members alleged that the patient, Mr. Kamal Sharma, a 35-year-old engineer employed by Byas Municipality and resident of Byas Municipality-10, passed away due to medical negligence during his treatment at the hospital. Mr. Sharma had been admitted to Ratnahari Hospital on June 28th, with the hospital assuring the family that his condition was improving and keeping him there for four days.
The lockdown imposed on the hospital has resulted in disruptions to the daily services provided to approximately 50 patients. To minimize inconvenience, the hospital’s owner, Mr. Tara Prasad Shrestha, facilitated the transfer of patients who were admitted prior to the lockdown to other healthcare facilities.
Upon observing no improvement in Mr. Sharma’s health, he was transferred to Charak Hospital in Pokhara on July 1st. Unfortunately, Mr. Sharma passed away during the journey. His relative, Mr. Madan Timalsina, alleged that Ratnahari Hospital’s misleading claims of recovery for even severely ill patients resulted in Mr. Sharma not receiving timely treatment from a well-equipped hospital, potentially leading to his demise.
The deceased’s relatives, along with local residents, took the decision to lock the hospital on the evening of July 2nd, asserting that Ratnahari Hospital had jeopardized the well-being of patients by unnecessarily prolonging their stays under the guise of treatment instead of promptly referring serious cases to adequately equipped medical facilities.
The relatives of the deceased are demanding that the doctors involved in the treatment be held accountable, a thorough investigation be conducted into the incident, and appropriate compensation be provided to the deceased’s family. Mr. Timalsina expressed disappointment with the hospital administration, stating that during a discussion organized by Byas Municipality on July 2nd, they failed to acknowledge their shortcomings, leading to the decision to lock the hospital. Mr. Tara Prasad Shrestha, the owner of the hospital, assured that an internal investigation would be conducted by the hospital administration.
Byas Municipality has issued instructions to the relevant hospitals, mandating comprehensive monitoring within five days in response to repeated complaints regarding the quality of services and laboratory facilities provided by healthcare establishments operating within the municipality. Additionally, the municipality will take legal action if these instructions are not followed. Gangalal Subedi, the chief administrative officer of Byas Municipality, emphasized the municipality’s commitment to ensuring the enforcement of these measures.
