The Toripani Urban Health Center in Beni Municipality-9, Ghatan, has remained closed for the past two months, making it difficult for citizens to access healthcare. Beni Municipality established the center to serve residents of Toripani, Dholthan, and Dhupibot, but it has had no health workers for the last two months. Local youth Baburam Chokhal said that more than 100 households in the area depend on the health center, but for two months, residents have been forced to walk long distances for medical care. He added that elderly residents in rural areas face even more difficulties due to the lack of nearby healthcare services.
Ward Chairperson Chakra Bahadur KC of Beni Municipality-9 said he thought the urban health center was operating but only found out about its closure through social media. He explained that the center remained closed because Assistant Health Worker Tapendra Bahadur Thapa, who was assigned there, continued working at the Ghatan Health Post in Neptechour instead. He added that he found out about the issue after Baburam Chokhal posted a photo on Facebook. When he inquired with the assigned staff, he found that the Health Worker had been absent for a long time, causing the suspension of services.
Information Officer Yubaraj Thapa of the Beni Municipality said the urban health center was functioning well when contractual employee Lekhnath Gautam from Mangala Rural Municipality-2 was in charge. However, after permanent staff member Tapendra Bahadur Thapa took over, the center remained closed. He stated that the health department has been urged to resume services as soon as possible. Information Officer Yubaraj Thapa also stated that although Tapendra Bahadur Thapa was assigned to the urban health center on November 17, 2024, he worked there for only about a month. He also mentioned that the nearby Animal Service Center has been closed for nearly three months due to a lack of technical staff. Ward Chairperson Chakra Bahadur KC assured that a meeting will be held soon to resume services. He stated that a team, including Public Health Officer Chandan Subedi, will visit the site to address the issue.