Lamkichuha Provincial Hospital Inaugurated; Chief Minister Announces Establishment of Trauma Center

14 Jestha, Kathmandu – After prolonged disputes, Lamkichuha Hospital has been inaugurated as a provincial hospital. Chief Minister of Sudurpashchim Province, Kamal Bahadur Shah, officially opened the hospital during a ceremony on Thursday.

During the inauguration, Chief Minister Shah emphasized that no one should compromise the health of the public. He also announced that the path has been cleared to convert the Lamkichuha Provincial Hospital into a trauma center.

“Operating a trauma center is challenging in hospitals with fewer than 50 beds, which is why the structure of a provincial hospital is essential,” he stated.

Chief Minister Shah also highlighted that the Lamkichuha Hospital has been provincially designated through procedural means. He recalled that Lamkichuha Municipality had challenged this decision at the Supreme Court, which declined to issue an interim order. “Even after the court’s decision, a collaborative environment between the local government and the province should have been encouraged, but that did not happen,” he remarked.

He explained that from fiscal year 2080/81, the provincial government adopted a policy to upgrade and enhance the capacity of hospitals under its jurisdiction. Accordingly, the aim has been set to develop Kolti Hospital in Bajura, Gokuleshwor in Darchula, Jogbudha in Dadeldhura, and Lamkichuha Hospital in Kailali as provincial-level hospitals.

Following this policy, in the current fiscal year 2082/83, the upgrading process for these hospitals has been accelerated. In the first phase, Jogbudha in Dadeldhura and Lamkichuha in Kailali have been enhanced to the provincial hospital level. Budget allocations have been made for this purpose, and federal government approval has also been secured, Chief Minister Shah recalled.

However, he alleged that despite repeated correspondence from the provincial government, Lamkichuha Municipality’s lack of cooperation caused delays. This issue has also led to informal disputes between the municipality and the provincial government.

Following the inauguration, Chief Minister Shah revealed plans to further upgrade Tikapur Provincial Hospital in Kailali, Seti, and Mahakali Provincial Hospital in Kanchanpur to 100-bed facilities.

Additionally, dialysis services will be expanded in provincial hospitals, with Lamkichuha Provincial Hospital scheduled to begin offering these services within this year, the Chief Minister informed.