KATHMANDU: Basic hospital has been constructed only at nine local levels so far against the government's plan of constructing such hospital in every local level of the country. The government had forwarded this plan three years ago.
Statistics officer of the Ministry of Health and Population, Surya Bahadur Khadka, said activities for the construction of basic hospitals at 425 local levels are now underway. The ministry had decided to build basic hospital at 657 local levels without a hospital.
"Budget has been allocated to construct hospital at 47 local levels as per the agreement. The Ministry had already sent Rs 4.43 billion at 84 local levels in the current fiscal year 2081/82", shared Khadka.
The government had decided to construct basic hospital at 396 local levels in the first-phase while at 261 local levels in the second-phase.
Activities for the construction of hospital at some local levels have not moved ahead due to land dispute and politics. The government has ensured sources for the construction of hospitals at 396 local levels.
"Local levels, which have no guarantee of sources, have been constructing hospital at their own investment. Sunkoshi rural municipality of Sindhupalchowk has constructed hospital at its own investment", he mentioned.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in 2077 had announced to construct five, 10 and 15-bed hospitals at local levels. As per the decision, construction of five-bed hospital at 80 local levels, 10-bed hospital at 154 local levels and 10-bed hospital at 423 local levels has been started.
The government has allocated Rs 71.19 million to construct 5-bed hospital, Rs 108.3 million for 10-bed hospital and Rs 180.6 4 million for 15-bed hospital.