Twelve health service centers in Panchpuri Municipality have been shut down after the local government removed employees working under contract, leaving service seekers facing serious difficulties. The health facilities, which were operating entirely on the support of contract health workers, ceased operations after the municipality terminated contract services starting from Shrawan 1 of the current fiscal year.
According to the Public Health Service Office, Surkhet, six basic health service centers and six community health service units operating within the municipality have been closed. Panchpuri Municipality has removed a total of 128 contract employees in the current fiscal year, including 74 teachers, 41 health sector employees, and 13 municipal staff members.
Municipal Health Section Chief Gangadeb Puri informed that the closure of 12 basic health institutions has caused hardship for citizens. He stated that the closed facilities include basic health centers and community health service units across several wards.
The basic health centers closed are located in Hasegaon of Ward No. 1, Tokma of Ward No. 3, Barainche of Ward No. 4, Chatture of Ward No. 6, Dulalthai of Ward No. 8, and Narsi of Ward No. 10. Similarly, community health service units in Latikanda of Ward No. 6, Dahasanne of Ward No. 8, Simtachaur and Paisara of Ward No. 7, Rag of Ward No. 9, and Bachhi of Ward No. 10 have also been shut down.
Local resident Dharmjit Thapa from Ward No. 1 said that after the closure of nearby health facilities, residents are now forced to travel nearly three hours to reach Salkot Hospital. He added that services once available at their doorstep now require hours of travel.
Despite the closure of village-level basic health centers, most patients from Wards No. 1, 2, and 3 are visiting the basic hospital in Ward No. 2 at Salkot for general treatment. Locals are compelled to travel three to four hours even to obtain basic medicines like paracetamol, highlighting the growing hardship faced by rural residents.
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