Acting Office Chief Dipendra Prasad Yadav stated that the laboratory services could not be operated because the chemicals and other necessary supplies required for the lab have not arrived from the provincial authorities. In 2021, the Provincial Public Health Laboratory allocated a budget to operate the lab, after which the laboratory infrastructure was constructed. The hospital receives around 100 to 150 patients daily. Yadav mentioned that their CBC, sugar tests, and other laboratory examinations must be conducted to identify diseases and prescribe appropriate medicines. However, due to the disruption of lab services, medicines are being prescribed solely based on symptoms.
He added that getting tests done outside the hospital is more expensive, and many patients do not return once they leave to get external tests done. Although the hospital has five sanctioned positions, the BMS doctor was promoted and transferred, leaving that post vacant. Currently, 11 staff members are working on a contract basis. Yadav stated that since he has been given the responsibility of Acting Office Chief by the provincial office, he has requested chemicals and other materials required for the lab, with a plan to resume laboratory services within this December/January.
Since there is only one lab assistant, services shut down whenever they need leave. Therefore, an additional staff request has been made to the province. Previously, 30 types of medicines were provided free of cost, but the government has reduced the number to 23 types.