KATHMANDU, March 4: Fifty-four Public Health Centers (PHCs) in 36 districts and some district hospitals have been without doctors for the past several months as doctors are reluctant to go to work in the rural areas.
The doctors appointed to work at PHCs remain absent without permission from the District Public Health Office (DPHO).
Though the Ministry of Health and Population (MoPH) has the authority to penalize doctors who remain absent for more than three months without prior notice, it has seldom been heard of taking any action against the errant doctors.
According to an official at MoPH, every month, people from districts visit the MoPH to complain about the absence of doctors in health centers. “We advice them to look for doctors who are willing to work in their areas,” the MoPH official said preferring anonymity.
The district hospital of Mugu has been without a doctor for several months as Dr Badri Chapagain left the hospital for studies.
Similarly, Dr Achyut Bikram Hamal posted at Tahu PHC of Palpa has remained absent for 11 months without informing the DPHO.
Dr Bidur Gyawali posted at Khashauli of the same district has remained absent for six months. Dr Mahesh Bahadur Adhikari posted at Gajuri PHC of Dhading has remained absent for six months.
According to MoPH, several PHC´s in Jhapa, Sunsari, Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur, Morang, Okhaldhunga, Khotang, Udayapur, Saptari, Siraha, Sindhuli, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Nuwakot, Dhading, Bara, Rautahat, Parsa, Gorkha, Lamjung, Kaski, Pachthar, Rukum, Salyan, Kalikot, Jajarkot, Surkhet, Bardiya, Bajhang, Achham, Baitadi, Kanchanpur and Kathmandu are also running without doctors.
Students who are awarded government scholarships to study medicine compulsorily must serve in the rural areas of the country. Every year, around 300 students get government scholarship. However, they seldom go to work in the rural areas.
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