Demand to Reactivate Dharan Hospital

Morang – After the Health Insurance Board removed B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), Dharan from the list of first-service points, discussions around a municipal hospital in Dharan intensified. Following appeals to the Ministry of Health, the BPKIHS was reinstated as a first-service point starting 1st Shrawan 2082. However, the Ministry has only confirmed this status through end of Aswin (approximately the next three months).

Residents now face uncertainty: after this period, where will they access health insurance services?

At this critical juncture, Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City has raised the issue of the dilapidated Dharan Hospital located at Chhata Chowk, Ward No.1. Industrialist and transport entrepreneur Saroj Shrestha emphasized that the land of the old Dharan Hospital should be returned by BPKIHS so that municipal authorities can revive it as a city hospital.

Shrestha noted that Dharan Hospital operated on that site for nearly six decades before BPKIHS was established. He explained that while the building was rendered unfit after the 2045 (1988) earthquake, new facilities could be established on the same land to resume treatment services.

Although BPKIHS remains a primary service point for the next three months, Shrestha warned that after the period ends, residents may be forced to seek insurance-covered treatment in Itahari, Inaruwa, or Chatara, due to the absence of a municipal or government hospital in Dharan.

In 2074 B.S., about 1 bigha 4 kaththa 13.1 dhur of land at the old hospital site was merged into BPKIHS. Locals are demanding that this land be returned so that the city or the district administration can run a hospital. BPKIHS has responded that the land transfer was approved by the government in 2048 B.S. However, Dharan Mayor Harkraj Sampang has formally requested the Ministry to return the disputed land and to cooperate with the municipality in constructing a new municipal hospital on the original premises.

BPKIHS has stated it is open to dialogue and collaboration to ensure the old hospital land serves the interests of Dharan residents.