Mustang Hospital's 15-Year-Old Ambulance Causes Patient Transfer Issues
Summary
Mustang’s only 25-bed provincial hospital in Jomsom is struggling to transfer critically ill patients because its 15-year-old ambulance keeps breaking down. Nearby local governments also lack operational ambulances, making emergency referrals to Pokhara and other hospitals even harder.
Key Points
- The ambulance at Mustang’s only 25-bed provincial hospital in Jomsom is 15 years old and frequently breaks down.
- Medical Superintendent Dr. Samiksha Kandel said the hospital has repeatedly requested a new ambulance from the provincial Health Ministry’s supply branch for two years but has not received one.
- The broken-down ambulance has made it difficult to refer seriously ill patients to Pokhara or other accessible hospitals, especially during disasters and accidents.
- The nearby Gharpaghong Rural Municipality ambulance is also out of service, while only half of Mustang’s ambulances are operational.
