The Narayani zonal branch of Nepal Drug Dealer Association called an indefinite closure of all Birgunj-based pharmaceutical stores from Thursday. The agitators were protesting a move of the Narayani Sub-regional Hospital to rent out its space through a tender process.
All drug stores on the hospital premises have been closed for the past two weeks due to disputes over the matter.
Patients are hit hard due to the closure of drug stores. They said that it was sheer negligence on the part of the association to shut down medicine shops for ‘vested interests.’ Kashyap Dahal of Chandranigahapur in Rautahat, who reached the hospital to treat his relative, said the problems should be sorted out soon.
He said it was a shame for stakeholders concerned to remain quite at a time when protesters took to the streets, announcing closure of drug stores.
The hospital administration said it had to announce new tender to rent out the space as it is yet to collect Rs 1.5 million from people who have been occupying the space for the past 25 years.
Dr Ramashankar Thakur, medical superintendent of the hospital, said the occupants failed to pay rent amounts despite repeated efforts. He said there was no any alternative other than renting out the space through a new bidding process.
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