Quake-hit Sindhu people struggle for health care
File photo: The displaced people at Tungathali in Ghorthali VDC, Sindhupalchok Angad Dhakal
Sep 21, 2016- People living in remote villages in earthquake-hit Sindhupalchok are facing difficulties to receive healthcare services.
The health posts in Dashkilo, Chaku, Phulpingkatti of Jhirpu and Hindi bazaar displaced by the devastating earthquake of April 25, 2015 have not been re-established yet.
As a result, people are forced to walk several hours to reach nearest health posts for treatment. Ram Hari Paudel, a teacher at Tatopani, said people of Tamang Gaun, Lamatol, Bhutbazaar and Kamitol in Naukilo are forced to walk at least five hours to reach Tatopnai. “They are also facing landslide risks while travelling to Tatopani,” said Paudel.
Sagare Tamang, 72, of Tamang Gaun, who has been suffering from high fever, said there are no vehicles plying the rural roads now. “The flooded Bhotekoshi river had swept away the health post. We have to reach Tatopani for treatment taking risk of landslides. The roads have also been obstructed due to heavy monsoon rains,” said Tamang.
Villagers in remote areas have been carrying patients to Tatopani in stretchers and traditional bamboo baskets. Patients of viral fever and skin diseases are on rise, said Ranjit Kumar Yadav, health worker at Tatopani Health Post.
“We have been referring patients to Barhabise if they need further treatment,” he said. Continuous landslides in Khora, Dankala, Hindi and other areas of Tatopani road sections have only compounded the situation. Sanimaya Sherpa of Listi said she faced difficulties travelling to Barhabise with her ill son. “It took several hours to open the obstructed road sections,” said Sherpa.
Meanwhile, Dr Binita Singh of the District Health Office said the DHO has been supplying medicines in the rural health posts.
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