The CT scan machine installed at the Provincial Hospital in Lahan, Siraha, has yet to become operational due to a shortage of qualified personnel. The hospital administration states that radiologists, radiology technicians, and supporting staff are essential to run the CT scan services. Hospital Chief Dr. Barsha Prakash mentioned that coordination is ongoing with the provincial ministry to address the staffing requirements. April 14, Siraha.
The Ramkumar Sarda Umaprasad Murarka Provincial Hospital in Lahan, Siraha, has been unable to operate its recently installed CT scan machine due to a lack of trained personnel. The service was hastily inaugurated on April 4 but has remained completely non-functional because of the absence of skilled technicians. Despite an investment of millions of rupees, the CT scan machine remains unused, causing inconvenience to patients. Former Medical Superintendent Dr. Ranjit Jha, before his transfer, has been accused by staff of inaugurating the service prematurely without ensuring proper staffing.
Weeks after the inauguration, patients are still unable to access the service, leading to concerns about the hospital administration. Ramnarayan Mehta, chairman of the hospital’s operations and management committee, expressed regret that the hospital is unable to provide the service despite having the equipment. He said, “This provincial hospital is located near the East-West Highway and experiences a very high patient load. Following significant efforts to provide affordable and accessible specialist services to the public, the machine was procured. However, the lack of skilled technicians has created a difficult situation.”
According to hospital officials, operating the CT scan service requires at least one radiologist, one radiology technician, and one supporting staff member. Newly appointed Hospital Chief (Medical Superintendent) Dr. Barsha Prakash informed that coordination with the provincial ministry is underway to secure the necessary personnel. She added that there is an overall scarcity of skilled radiologists across Madhesh Province, so it is uncertain when staff will be available. “We have been persistently following up with the ministry, but as there is a regional shortage of specialist personnel, there is no definite timeline for staff deployment,” she explained.
With no certainty from the ministry on staffing, the hospital administration itself is unsure when the service might begin. Senior Radiologist Dr. Brijendra Kumar Sah was previously assigned to this hospital through provincial staff allocation and is also a local of Lahan. However, on February 14, the province transferred Dr. Sah to the District Hospital in Malangwa, Sarlahi. Sources report he is currently on leave, feeling that he has not been assigned responsibilities fitting his expertise. Meanwhile, due to the lack of specialists, the CT scan service remains offline.
During the tenure of the then Madhesh Province Minister of Health and Population, Shatrudhan Prasad Singh, two CT scan machines were purchased in the fiscal year 2024/25 at an approximate cost of 120 million NPR. According to Dr. Sunil Prasad Kushwaha, then Director General of the Provincial Supply Management Centre, one machine was installed at the Madhesh Health Science Academy in Janakpur and the other at Lahan Hospital. Despite the significant effort and investment, the lack of appropriate staffing has rendered the machine unusable. Patients suffering injuries from highway accidents and other complex conditions are still forced to pay high fees at private hospitals or travel to Biratnagar and Kathmandu for services.
