Modern hospital built in Chandrakot, but still no sign of opening

A modern hospital building was completed one year ago in Chandrakot Rural Municipality, Gulmi district, but it still hasn’t started operations. This has caused ongoing difficulties for residents, especially when seeking health services.

The hospital was built in Ward No. 4, Shantipur, with a capacity of 15 beds. The agreement to build the hospital was signed in Ashar 2078 (June, 2021), and the construction was completed on schedule in Ashar 2081 (June, 2024). Tulsi Dutt Arjun Builders, based in Tamghas, carried out the work at a cost of Rs. 127.2 million.

Despite being finished, the building remains unused, and locals are unhappy. Many still have to travel long distances to Tamghas, Palpa, or Butwal for basic and emergency medical care. According to Tejendra Thapa, president of the Shantipur branch of the Gulmi Chamber of Commerce, the unused hospital is a waste of money. He believes that delaying basic health services is a form of serious government negligence.

In rural areas, health workers and doctors often avoid working, which makes running such hospitals difficult. Even though the building is equipped with advanced features, including a lift system, there are still no signs of operation.

The municipality is trying to coordinate with the central and provincial governments to open the hospital. However, due to a recent federal policy that places hospital responsibility on municipalities, they are struggling to fund health workers with their limited resources.

Back in Mangsir 2077 (November, 2020), the government had announced plans to build hospitals across local levels in the country. Since then, Gulmidarbar Rural Municipality in Gulmi has started operating its hospital with one doctor, nurses, and staff. But other areas in the district are still facing delays.

Construction is ongoing for other hospitals in Gulmi, including several with 15 beds and one with 55 beds in the district headquarters, Tamghas.