Health workers at the Jajarkot District Hospital halted all hospital services except emergency services on Wednesday saying that the authorities concerned have not provided salary and other allowances for past seven months.

Stating that they have been deprived of salary and other facilities for past six months, the agitating health workers stopped their works except in emergency unit. As a result, treatment of scores of patients has been affected.

Owing to their protest OPD, X-ray, lab and vaccination services were affected.

Around 100 patients visited the hospital on Wednesday to get various health services. The patients especially reached the district headquarters from remote villages were hit hardest. The patients were forced to visit either private clinics or Chaurjahari Hospital in neighbouring Rukum district due to the protest.

Dr Rajendra Lama, acting medical superintendent at the hospital, said that all the health workers at the district hospitals and other health facilities within Bheri Municipality could not get their salaries and other allowances since mid-December, 2017.

“How can we work without salary for 5-6 months?” said Dr Lama, “We are protesting because we cannot manage two squares of meal.” He warned to close even the emergency service if the authorities concerned would not provide salary at the earliest.

According to Dr Lama, 57 health workers of the Jajarkot Hospital and 35 others of five other health facilities are deprived of their salaries.