Salyan, April 18 -- The service disruption began on April 11 after the hospital was left without qualified doctors to perform surgeries. According to the District Health Office, one medical officer, Dr Buddhinath Shah, is undergoing treatment after falling ill while another, Dr Ashim Adhikari, left the district to pursue higher studies.

With services halted, patients who once relied on affordable treatment at the district hospital are now forced to travel to Dang, Nepalgunj or Surkhet for care, spending significantly more on transport and accommodation as well as medical and hospital fees. The situation is particularly difficult for pregnant women with complications, who are forced to endure long journeys of two to three hours by vehicle...