Government's Two-Day Weekend Policy Increases Patient Load in Hospitals
Summary
The government's two-day weekend policy has caused increased patient loads in hospitals, especially on Mondays, leading to challenges in providing adequate patient care in Nepalese healthcare institutions.
Key Points
- The two-day weekend policy has increased patient load in government hospitals on Mondays due to closure of OPD services on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Bir Hospital removed ticket quotas to reduce crowding, serving around 4,000 patients daily except Mondays when around 4,300 patients come.
- Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital operates essential OPD services on Sundays for anti-rabies injections with about 800 patients on that day.
- The Ministry of Health and Population has directed hospitals to keep inpatient and emergency services operational 24/7 despite the weekend closure of OPD.
- Hospitals are struggling to manage the increased patient load, though manpower is being mobilized appropriately.
- Nijamati Hospital has increased the number of new patients per doctor from 30 to 35 due to the increased patient load.
