Patients sick and tired of far-west bandh

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

DHANGADHI/DIPAYAL: As federalism continues to bug parties and its top leaders in Kathmandu, people in far-west are bearing the brunt of a bandh triggered by the Maoist-proposed model of federal units.

The strike entered the 13th day today. While locals are sick and tired of the long-drawn bandh, patients are fighting the dual battle — shortage of medicines and lack of transport services.

The region is reeling under the protracted bandh by those who are pressing for an undivided far-west.

Prem Bahadur BK of Pauwagadhi VDC, Bajhang is fighting tuberculosis. The District Hospital has referred him to Dhangadhi for further treatment, but ‘how am I going to make it to Dhangadhi amid this bandh?’ said BK.

There are nine patients in Bajura Hospital who need advanced care, but they have been forced to languish there for there is neither ambulance nor public transport. “We have referred the patients to Dhangadhi for further treatment but they have been stranded as vehicles have stayed off roads due to the bandh,” said Ramchandra Yadav, an assistant health worker at the hospital. The plight of patients in Doti is no different.

In Baitadi Hospital, there are seven patients and in Dadeldhura six who are waiting for bandh to be called off. A strike has been enforced in Dadeldhura since yesterday.

Seti Zonal Hospital in Dhangadhi is running short of oxygen, anesthesia drugs, saline water and basic medicines. The hospital, which would see as many as 500 patients referred from different hill districts every day, now has number of patients reduced by about 70 per cent, said Dr Ganesh Bahadur Singh.

The entire region, especially hill districts, is suffering from lack of medicines, thanks to the strike, said Pushkar Paneru, Director of Sujang Hospital in Dipayal.

Seven-month pregnant Deuki Nepali of Jugada, Bajura, who was stranded for days, however, has managed to reach Sanfe. She needs to reach Dhangadhi for her condition is critical. “But how?” she asked. Anyone listening?