Numerous Health Facilities in Rupandehi Operating Against Standards, Posing Risks to Patients

Rupandehi. It has been revealed that many health institutions operating in Rupandehi under private management are functioning in violation of established standards.

The District Public Health Office, Rupandehi, stated that complaints are frequently received regarding many health institutions in Bhairahawa and Butwal operating against standards. Hospitals approved by local levels, with capacities ranging from 10 to 15 beds, have been found to be non-compliant with regulations.

According to standards, hospitals approved by local levels are only permitted to operate basic health services, general medicine, minor surgery, basic obstetrics and gynecology services, basic pediatrics, and basic dental services.

However, these hospitals are publishing and broadcasting advertisements in the media, offering complex procedures such as orthopedic and spinal surgeries, deliveries via C-section, surgeries for stones, gallstones, kidney stones, appendicitis, and complex abdominal surgeries, all in violation of their approved scope.

Health experts state that the health of many patients is being put at high risk due to these non-compliant hospitals. This risk arises because such hospitals often lack specialist doctors, skilled manpower, specialists who dedicate sufficient time, necessary tools and equipment, and ICUs to manage critical patient conditions.

Monitoring has revealed that these hospitals lack the required ambulance service as per standards, and are missing electrical backup stabilizers and transformers. Although government standards mandate two generators as an alternative power source, the District Public Health Office has received complaints that many hospitals operating under local levels here do not have generators.

The 'firefighting system' is also missing, and the management of hazardous waste generated by the hospitals is not being addressed. It has also been observed that itinerant doctors, under the guise of treatment, fail to properly examine patients, rush into surgeries, and operate in hospitals with dilapidated infrastructure, leading to accidents.

These hospitals are seen overcharging patients without providing proper bills or receipts. The District Public Health Office has named several such institutions, including Max Hospital in Omsatiya, Bhairahawa Multispeciality Hospital in Siddharthanagar, Om Hospital in Tilottama, and Sajha Hospital in Butwal.

The government has classified hospital operations into four tiers: Primary hospitals (5 to 15 beds) approved by local levels; Secondary (Basic) hospitals (15 to 25 beds) approved by the provincial government; Secondary hospitals (25 to 50 beds); Tertiary Care hospitals (100 beds or more); and Super Specialty hospitals operating under the approval of the federal government. Complaints regarding non-compliance are frequently found among hospitals approved by local levels.

Tej Kumar KC, Administration Coordinator at Universal Medical College Teaching Hospital, Ranigaun, Bhairahawa, stated that hospitals registered at the local level in various districts, with up to 15 beds, are performing complex treatments and surgeries without the necessary resources.

He stressed that such health institutions operating against government health procedures and regulations must be brought under legal purview. Bhim Tulachan, operator of Lumbini Nursing Home, noted that non-compliant health institutions are increasing malpractice in Rupandehi. He added that the health sector is being discredited as clinics and small hospitals engage in a race to earn money by advertising surgical and various specialist services they do not possess.

The health branch of Siddharthanagar Municipality appears oblivious to the fact that hospitals and polyclinics registered there are conducting major surgeries and other services like large hospitals. Vijaynath Chaudhary, Chief of the Municipal Health Branch, stated that it is wrong for hospitals with up to 15 beds approved by the municipality to perform complex surgeries, and assured that monitoring and action processes against such entities would be initiated.

Regarding this issue, Uma Thapa, Chief of the District Public Health Office, Rupandehi, stated that the body which grants approval for the operation of a health institution should also be responsible for its monitoring and inspection. According to her, the District Administration Office can conduct monitoring, and in such cases, the District Public Health Office can provide specialist services.

Meghnath Padhya, Market Monitoring Coordinator and Assistant District Chief at the District Administration Office, Rupandehi, stated that action would be taken if health institutions within the district are found to be operating against standards.

Polyclinics

Most polyclinics operating in Rupandehi are functioning against standards. These polyclinics, approved by the provincial government, are illegally operating operation theaters for procedures like urinary tract surgeries, offering 'Laser Stone Surgery', performing prostate-related surgeries, orthopedic surgeries, admitting patients, conducting video X-rays without a radiologist, and operating X-ray machines against standards. These polyclinics are found to be charging exorbitant fees without providing proper bills.

Such facilities in Rupandehi include Siddhi Binayak Polyclinic, Chirayu Health Home, Prakriti Healthcare Center, Kohinoor Polyclinic, among over a dozen others.

Fake Video X-rays

Furthermore, some hospitals, despite needing approval from the Ministry of Health for purchasing and operating radiation-emitting video X-ray machines, have been found operating them in violation of this requirement. These hospitals are showing serious negligence towards patient health. Government regulatory bodies remain silent.

It is reported that this situation is prevalent in many health institutions in rural areas, including Siddhi Binayak Polyclinic operating in Mayadevi Rural Municipality, Rupandehi. Video X-rays that should be performed by a radiologist are being conducted by general health workers or medical officers in these facilities.

Although the local levels that granted approval, the District Administration Office, and the District Public Health Office are responsible for monitoring, regulating, and taking action against such health institutions operating across various local levels in the district, this oversight is not being effectively carried out.