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The government has arranged free dialysis for kidney patients, but a lack of sufficient resources, facilities, and manpower has deprived patients of the service, causing them distress. Ismile Teli, a 57-year-old local from Gulariya Municipality-12, Lalpur, explained that he had to sell 16332 sq. ft of his land to pay for dialysis and other medical check-ups after failing to get a turn for free dialysis. He said, “Our financial situation was weak, so I went to Saudi Arabia to earn money. With the money I earned there, I bought 13610 sq. ft of land. But that too was used up for treatment. Even though the government promises free dialysis services, it’s still difficult to get your turn for the service.”

The number of kidney disease patients in Bardiya is increasing daily. The problem is worsening as people neglect their diet and lifestyle. Poor families face financial difficulties, and often, after spending all their assets on treatment, patients end up losing their lives. The federal government provides free dialysis services for kidney patients, while the Lumbini provincial government gives a monthly allowance of five thousand rupees to kidney disease patients.

Krishna Prasad Tharu, 52, husband of Laxmi Tharu from Badayatol Municipality-7, stated that his wife, who had been suffering from kidney disease for over a year, passed away on June 9, 2024, during treatment. He said that after his wife’s kidneys stopped working, she passed away while undergoing treatment. He mentioned, “We incurred a debt of three lakh rupees for her treatment. It was difficult to access the free dialysis service provided by the government. My wife passed away, but we couldn’t avail the free service the government had arranged.”

Increase in the Number of Kidney Disease Patients

The number of people applying for free dialysis services and a monthly allowance of five thousand rupees for kidney disease patients at the local level has increased. Among the eight local municipalities in Bardiya, Rajapur Municipality has the highest number of kidney disease patients. In the fiscal year 2023/2024, 100 kidney patients were recommended for the treatment of kidney disease. Out of which, the highest number of kidney disease patients is 27 in Rajapur Municipality and the lowest in Geruwa Rural Municipality.

Due to a shortage of human resources, the dialysis service is operating in a single shift.

Due to a shortage of human resources, the dialysis service at Bardiya Hospital, Gulariya, is operating in a single shift. The hospital stated that the lack of skilled human resources has led to the operation of the dialysis service in only one shift. Bardiya Hospital, Gulariya, has started a five-bed dialysis treatment service. Since the service began in April, patients have received treatment. However, as the hospital operates dialysis in only one shift, a total of 17 patients have received the free service, while 14 others who registered are still waiting for their turn. Many of those who registered at the hospital have even passed away. Keshav Neupane, the medical recorder and information officer at the hospital, stated that due to having only one medical officer, two nurses, one office assistant, and one technician, the hospital can provide dialysis service in only one shift. He mentioned that although there is a dialysis machine, the lack of sufficient human resources has caused problems.

Article 35 of the Constitution of Nepal 2015 guarantees the right to health. Subarticle (3) of the same article states that every citizen has the right to equal access to health services. However, due to the government’s failure to provide necessary resources and facilities, patients have not only had to face various other difficulties, they even lost their lives.

Prakash Poudel