Kathmandu, May 3 -- Sanimaiya Ghalan, a local from Hetauda, had come to Kathmandu on Thursday for treatment of muscle weakness after a doctor at a local health facility suspected peripheral neuropathy and referred her to Bir Hospital.

She could not meet the doctor on Friday, as she went to hospital late, due to confusion over whether doctors would work on a public holiday.

"We heard that the health ministry has directed hospitals to examine patients on Sunday as well, but we did not find that after visiting the hospital," said Prateek, Ghalan's son, who accompanied his mother. "We have already spent three days in a hotel, and we are thinking of going to a private hospital, as waiting to see doctors in government hospitals is costlier th...