Provincial Government and Municipality Clash Over Hospital Management in Kailali

March 17, Dhangadhi – A dispute has arisen between the provincial government and the municipality in Kailali regarding the management of a hospital. This conflict centers on the Lamkichuha Hospital.

Lamkichuha Municipality has been operating the Lamkichuha Hospital. However, the provincial government recently formed the hospital’s management committee, which the municipality has rejected.

The municipality’s executive committee has opposed the provincial government’s decision to form a management committee before the handover of the hospital, which the municipality currently operates. Mayor Sushila Shahi stated that while the municipality is willing to upgrade Lamkichuha Hospital to a provincial hospital and transfer its management to the provincial government, they will not accept the committee’s formation without consultation or mutual agreement.

Mayor Shahi further clarified that the hospital will only be handed over to the provincial government after clear arrangements are made regarding the management of human resources and financial resources currently overseen by the municipality.

On Sunday, the Provincial Ministry of Social Development appointed officials and members to the development committees of Seti Provincial Hospital, Jogbudha Provincial Hospital, and Lamkichuha Provincial Hospital.

Despite these appointments, the municipality maintains a firm stance against accepting the committee for the 15-bed hospital, citing a lack of coordination in the formation process and the fact that the hospital’s transfer to provincial management is still pending. During a Tuesday executive meeting, one member opposed this position, but the majority supported it.

As the hospital has not yet been transferred to the provincial government, the current development board, chaired by Mayor Sushila Shahi, remains in place.

The provincial government had recommended to the federal government, with the agreement of Lamkichuha Municipality, that the hospital be brought under provincial jurisdiction. Based on this, the federal government had decided some months ago to place Lamkichuha Hospital under provincial control, according to the ministry.

Dr. Hemraj Regmi, Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development, confirmed that although the hospital has legally been transferred to provincial authority, the practical transfer has yet to take place.

The ministry has initiated the process of incorporating the hospital’s contract staff under the provincial government. However, it claims that the municipality has not shown interest in this matter. A draft agreement for the hospital’s operation under provincial authority was prepared jointly with the municipality, but without their engagement, no signing has occurred.

Social Development Minister Meghraj Khadka appointed Rambahadur Bisht as chairperson of Lamkichuha Hospital on Sunday. Bisht is a former teacher. Other members appointed to the hospital committee include Sasira Shahi, Dhirendra Thapa, Bhim Tharu, and Himal Swar.