KATHMANDU: In Narainapur Rural Municipality, located in Banke district, access to quality healthcare remains a significant challenge for most residents. The local hospitals and health centers are reported to not provide satisfactory services, forcing many locals to either neglect their health issues or rely on occasional free health camps for medical attention.

Recently, during a free health camp organized by the Nepali Army's Shree Bajra Dal Battalion in Narainapur, many patients voiced their frustrations over the lack of regular healthcare access. Nishadhar Pathanin, a 70-year-old woman from Narainapur Rural Municipality-6, highlighted her struggle, mentioning that due to financial constraints, she had been unable to seek treatment for body and chest pain locally. Despite enduring pain for a prolonged period, she could not afford to travel to Nepalgunj for treatment and thus relied on the free health camp, even though it required a long walk despite her age.

Similarly, Nasim Khan from Narainapur-5 shared his experience of waiting for free health camps due to financial limitations, stressing that without such camps, many residents would remain untreated. This situation reflects the broader challenges faced by the impoverished and underprivileged population of the rural municipality, who are calling for permanent and reliable healthcare services. They emphasize that mere infrastructure is insufficient without adequate medical equipment and skilled doctors.

Rabindra Shrestha, the chief of the Bajra Dal Battalion, acknowledged the overwhelming response to the health camp, noting that despite the heat, a large number of locals sought treatment and received free medicine. Approximately 670 people benefited from the camp.

Chairman Ishtiyaq Ahmad Shah of Narainapur Rural Municipality acknowledged improvements in the healthcare sector but highlighted persistent issues such as the lack of essential medical equipment and specialized doctors. He emphasized that local authorities have repeatedly urged relevant authorities to address these deficiencies to enhance healthcare delivery in the municipality.