Narayani Sub-regional Hospital in Birgunj has been performing operations without surgical lights for the past five months. The hospital conducts up to 25 operations in a day.

“Not a single light is in working order. We perform operations under the light of torch held by a nurse or other hospital staff,” said one doctor.

Bishwanath Chaudhary, who is in charge of the operating room (OR), said the hospital did not have the budget to purchase new surgical lamps.

“Besides the lamps, the OR also lacks many other medical instruments. The quality of our service has been compromised, but we are doing our best to ensure that our patients receive proper care,” Chaudhary said.

Narayani Sub-regional Hospital is the country’s second oldest hospital and the state has not given much attention towards its upgradation. Dr Anamul Hak, the officiating medical superintendent at the hospital, said the service has been affected due to lack of budget.

“We need sufficient budget and human resources to provide proper services to the patients,” he said.  

n Narayani Sub-regional Hospital