Kidney patients who have to undergo dialysis have been extremely affected due to the absence of public transportation the prohibition order issued in the district after the increased risk of COVID-19.
Kidney patients in rural areas have been affected due to the non-operation of public transport. Patients who cannot afford to reserve a vehicle by paying expensive fare have to be carried by their relatives to the hospital for dialysis.
Til Bahadur Thapa, 60, of Koidim, Rishing Rural Municipality-1, carries his 60-year-old wife Minmaya to Damauli Hospital for dialysis every Monday and Thursday.
Thapa was compelled to carry his wife to and from the hospital as public transport was not operating due to the prohibitory order. Thapa said it takes four hours to reach the hospital to bring her for dialysis and the same to return back.
He said before a month ago, the situation was comfortable but now he is facing trouble bring his wife for dialysis.
His wife Minmaya has been undergoing free dialysis at Shatrughan Manju Dialysis Center at Damauli Hospital since November 25, 2019
Chief District Officer of the District Administration Office, Tanahun, Sagar Acharya said that the operation of public transport was stopped due to the prohibition order but the patients were not stopped from coming for dialysis.
“Vehicles with patients in them have been allowed to operate after they show the documents in which it is stated that the patients are heading towards the hospital for dialysis,” said Chief District Officer Acharya.
On the other hand, Shuklagandaki Municipality has provided free transportation to the patients who need to go to the hospital for dialysis.
Gangalal Subedi, chief administrative officer of the municipality, said that the kidney patients who informed the municipality have got transportation facility every time they went for their dialysis.
Shailendra Pandit, Head of the Shatrughan Manju Dialysis Center at Damauli Hospital, said that 63 kidney patients are undergoing dialysis daily.