Parbat — For the first time in 35 years of its operation, Parbat Provincial Hospital has begun offering specialist medical services.
Though originally permitted to operate just 15 beds by the government, the hospital had already been providing services with 64 beds. Recently, it was officially upgraded to a 50-bed hospital following a ministerial decision by the Gandaki Provincial Government. However, the expected staffing arrangements post-upgrade have yet to be fully implemented.
Despite this, through internal management and coordination with the Provincial Ministry of Health, the hospital has now started services from specialists in orthopedics, pediatrics, and gynecology, according to Medical Superintendent Dr. Hemant Bastola.
The hospital had been managing its existing operations by augmenting limited government-approved staffing with internal resources. It has now initiated specialist services utilizing its internal funds as well as doctors under the federal scholarship quota.
As part of its nutrition program, pediatrician Dr. Prakash Gautam will now serve out-patients, while orthopedic and neurology specialist Dr. Dhundiraj Paudel has resumed services after returning from further studies. Though Dr. Paudel was already on the hospital’s roster, he had been away on academic leave.
Likewise, gynecologist Dr. Priyasa Adhikari and anesthesiologist Dr. Balkrishna Shrestha have joined under the government’s scholarship program. According to Hospital Management Committee Chair Bishnuram Bik, scholarship doctors are required to serve for at least two years.
The expansion of services comes in response to rising patient demand, even as the hospital awaits formal staffing additions from the provincial government.
