Not only people in the remote mid-west and far-west region of Nepal are dying due to lack of enough doctors and medicines in the health centers and hospitals, but it is happening right in the heart of Kathmandu, in Bir Hospital, the nation's oldest, biggest and probably the busiest hospital (in terms of sheer number of patients coming in for treatment every day).

The number of patients dying after not receiving effective treatment has continued to rise in Bir Hospital in the past few days as resident doctors have continued to halt essential services at the hospital for the fourth consecutive day.

Reports say that because of the strike by doctors the hospital is even unable to provide patients basic health services including life saving CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation). The number of patients dying because of not receiving emergency medical services is also increasing due to lack of enough doctors at the hospital's emergency unit. Because of being centrally located, most of the emergency cases including road accidents and trauma first arrive at Bir Hospital. But because of the strike by doctors the hospital has started to refer serious cases to other hospitals.

Some 300 resident doctors of the hospital have been staging protests putting forward various demands including increasing their monthly allowances, good medical equipment, free treatment for resident doctors, among others.

In order to step up their pressure, the doctors have completely declined to attend the Out Patient Department (OPD), except emergency unit.

Similarly, other departments of the hospital including general medicine, pathology, orthopedic, eye, gynecology, pediatric and radio therapy have also remained shut for the last four days. According to hospital officials, various kinds of surgeries have also been obstructed for the last two months.

Dr Arbin Joshi, General Secretary of the Resident Doctors' Association at Bir Hospital, said that they were compelled to take this drastic measure as the hospital administration had gone back on their words to fulfill their legitimate demands repeatedly.

He said the doctors at the hospital will continue to organize protests until all their demands are met.

Around a thousand patients from different parts of the country including Kathmandu visit Bir Hospital every day for treatment. Meanwhile, thousands of patients from Bara, Parsa and Rautahat have been denied medical treatment as all public and private hospital in Birgunj remained closed for a second day on Saturday.

The doctors have been protesting the mistreatment of a doctor at the Narayani Sub-regional Hosptial by relatives of a patient. They say their protest will continue till the guilty are punished. nepalnews.com

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