Banke, August 16. On Wednesday morning, the Sonari rural municipality announced that they are facing a dire shortage of medicines to treat viral conjunctivitis, as cases of the disease have surged within the locality in recent days.

According to Rapti Sonari Hospital chief Dr. Ram Shah, health facilities in the rural municipality are grappling with an increasing number of patients suffering from viral conjunctivitis. However, they are currently struggling with a scarcity of medicines to effectively address this health concern. In the past 10 days alone, the hospital has treated a total of 273 cases of conjunctivitis. Both the hospital and local health posts are facing difficulties in meeting the rising demand for medicines, resulting in patients being sent back home without the necessary treatment.

Hiramani Gurau Tharu, the in-charge of the Rapti Sonari-3-based Basic Health Post, reported that they have completely run out of stock for all types of eye drugs. Similarly, Sandeep Chaudhary, in charge of Binauna Health Post, revealed that between August 6 and 15, they treated a significant number of 158 eye-related cases.

Devendra KC, the chief of Rapti Sonari rural municipality’s health section, stated that the scarcity of eye drugs is not limited to their area but is prevailing across the entire district. The repercussions of this shortage have been felt even in local health posts.

Tapta Bahadur Poudel, the chairperson of the rural municipality, acknowledged the challenges they are facing. He admitted that the local government has been unable to ensure an adequate supply of eye medicines to health posts despite the soaring cases of eye conjunctivitis. He explained that the shortage is evident both in the District Health Office and in the market.