National
DPHO unable to retain nurses
Women in remote villages are likely to be deprived of free maternity services as the DPHO is preparing not to renew contract of 35 staff nurses working at various health posts.J.Pandey
Health officials said they are unable to reappoint the nurses, whose contract ends on July 16, due to budget crunch.
Staff Nurses Chhetra Oli and Meera Kandel, who have been working at a health post in Mahadepurpuri, said a large number of women will face problems if health facilities lack manpower in remote villages. “Pregnant women in remote areas have been facing problems as they cannot be ferried immediately to fully-facilitated hospitals,” Oli said. The 35 nurses stationed at various remote villages were providing door-to-door maternity services to women.
Indra Khanal, a staff nurse at Khajura Primary Health Post, said maternity services will be halted and locals will be deprived of services if the health facility lacked nurses.
The DPHO chief Nagendra Prasad Chaudhary said they will be unable to provide health services if health posts lack skilled workers and physical infrastructure due to the shortage of funds. He said they have demanded budget for 24 nurses.