Patients Facing Difficulties Due to Lack of CT Scan Service

  September 30, 2024 By: INSEC

Due to the lack of CT scan services at Mahakali Provincial Hospital, individuals suffering from mental health conditions. are facing difficulties. Sunita BK, a 55-year-old resident of Dodhara Chandani Municipality-1, expressed her frustration, stating that for a long time, she has been forced to go to India’s Khatima, Nepalgunj, and Seti Provincial Hospital in Kailali for CT scans because of the absence of this service at Mahakali Provincial Hospital.।

She said, “For the past two years, I have been forced to run to Khatima in India, Nepalgunj, and Seti Provincial Hospital. Traveling back and forth is a problem. Due to the high demand from patients, it takes a long time to get an appointment. I often have to stay overnight just to wait for my turn. Since it’s far, I also need to hire an attendant, which adds to the expense. If there were facilities in my own district hospital, it would be a relief.” Harina Damai, a resident of squatter settlement in Bhimdatta Municipality-18, expressed her frustration that the city scan service is not available in the district, leaving her family in a dire financial situation. Her eighteen-year-old son, Bharat Damai, has suffered from a brain condition for the past four years, which causes fluid buildup, making it necessary for them to travel to India or Kailali for city scans from time to time. Ramesh Chaudhary from Belauri Municipality-3 also complained about the lack of city scan facilities in the district, stating that he is forced to bear high costs to seek treatment outside the district.

Krishnanand Bhatt, the chairperson of the Mahakali Hospital Management Committee, stated that correspondence has been made with the provincial and federal governments regarding the CT scan service, and a budget has been allocated for this financial year. He mentioned that since the tender process will take some time, it might take another eight to nine months, but efforts are underway to start the service within this financial year. This will help reduce the financial burden faced by those suffering from mental health conditions. Despite the provision in Article 35 of Nepal’s Constitution that guarantees every citizen the right to free basic health services, the locals have not been able to access these services.

 


Lily Kuwar