Doctor, Health Worker Receive Death Threats

The Jhapa district chapter of All Nepal Public Health Workers' Association on Saturday called a press conference to inform the media that doctor Raj Kumar Dhagauda and health worker Chandra Shah of Amda Hospital had received death threats. In the programme, Dr Dhagauda and Shah, said that they were unable to carry out their duties due to mental strain.

The ANPHW told the media that Dr Dhagauda has already been assigned to Butwal, but he was still receiving threatening calls from cell phone numbers 9852675578, 9842651520 and 9841847604. Those making the calls have identified themselves as Limbuwan, Tarun Dal and other unknown groups' cadres. Dr Dhagauda pleaded before media persons and rights activists to save his life.

Shah said that he was carrying out health check-ups in the hospital when a group led by Nepali Congress ward 13 chairman Dhundi Raj Bhandari, Nar Bahadur Pulami and Suren Dewan of Tarun Dal burst in and threatened to abduct him.

Shah said that they misbehaved with him and used foul language after accusing him of speaking in support of Dr Dhagauda and trying to form a health workers' union.

Three weeks ago, the hospital administration had fined health workers Chandra Kala Rana, Shobha Poudel and Dhan Bahadur Basnet for breaking medical instruments. Dr Dhagauda said that he had protested the decision, adding that his life has become miserable after that. "After I spoke against the financial irregularities and mismanagement in the hospital, the management transferred me to Butwal and some of its members assigned hooligans to trouble me," he said. Dr Dhagauda also said that the hospital vehicles were being misused, there was irregularity in purchase of stocks and other stuff and appointments were made arbitrarily.

ANPHW, Nepal National Workers' Association and 15 staffers of Amda Hospital issued a statement condemning the hospital's stand. They also called for probe into the affair and punish the culprits.

Meanwhile, hospital superintendent Dr Shankar Prasad Hujdar, said that the allegations made by Dr Dhagauda were baseless and added that the hospital administration would investigate the matter. - Source