Tanahun, Aug 31: Government-run Damauli hospital in Damauli has deprived 95 pregnant women and new mothers of cash inceptives provided by the government for antenatal checkups due to its negligence, complained the women deprived of the facility.
The government has been providing Rs 2,000 under transportation allowance and Rs 800 for antenatal checkups through government health institutions and hospitals.
Of the women deprived of the facility, 23 visited the hospital for antenatal checkups in the fiscal year of 2018/19, and 72 after the fiscal year of 2019/20 started on July 17.
Bank account of the hospital was closed on July 10, and pregnant women and new mothers visiting the hospital for antenatal checkups after July 10 have been deprived of the inceptives as the hospital could not withdraw funds, said Pradip Raj Adhikari, chairperson of the hospital management committee.
He said he was aware of the matter only after the fiscal year of 2019/20 started, and concerned employees had been asked to clarify the matter.
Likewise, in case of 72 pregnant women and new mothers visiting the hospital for antenatal checkups after the FY 2019/20 started, they are finding it difficult to provide incentives to them as they are yet to get authority to open hospital’s closed bank account, said the hospital administration.
Narendra Dhakal, hospital management committee member, blamed accountant of the hospital for its negligence to manage to provide cash incentives to 23 pregnant women and new mothers from the previous fiscal year.
Hospital’s accountant Parbati Poudel is on maternity leave, depriving the hospital of any authority to look after her work in her absence, which has also created problems, said Guru Datta Ghimire, hospital administrative officer.
