Dr Rijal apologises to Lama for remarks

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
OM HOSPITAL DEATH

KATHMANDU: Dr Bhola Rijal, president of Om Hospital and Research Centre today apologised to Tenzin Lama Sherpa, whose child died three months ago at the hospital, for using inappropriate words.

During a press conference 15 days ago, Dr Rijal had accused Lama for being used by ‘a group of people’ to close the hospital, give it a bad reputation and defame the profession of doctor.

A baby died with its stomach split open after an operation carried out by a team led by Dr Rita Manandhar. Manandhar had operated Chojom Dolma Sherpa on December 18. The operation led to the delivery of a premature baby with a split stomach.

After Dr Risal apologised before Kathmandu Chief District Officer, we also decided to withdraw our protest programme at the hospital said Tenzin Lama Sherpa, father of the deceased child. Sherpa’s kin and 12 other Sherpa organisations had been organising sit-in-protest at the hospital for the last 15 days against the allegation of the hospital.

Sherpa said he was waiting for the investigation report and punishment for culprits involved in the case. Lama had filed a case against the hospital demanding compensation of Rs 6.5 million.

The relatives of the child had registered the case against Dr Bhola Rijal, Dr Rita Manandhar, Dr KP Devkota, Dr Anand Prasad Shrestha, Dr Amit Shrestha, Dr Amod Prasad Tuladhar and Dr Pratima Shrestha at Kathmandu Chief District Office, Department of Commerce and National Human Rights Commission.

Although we had not used such words, we asked forgiveness from them in order to create positive environment at the hospital said Dr Hari Kishor Shrestha, director of the hospital, adding that they were also awaiting the result of the investigation.