Rukum West, Feb. 29: A temporary health structure has been built at Ghotma Health Post in Aathabiskot Municipality-14 of Rukum West. The building, constructed by the World Health Organisation, replaces the one damaged by the earthquake of November 3 last year.

Dr. Rajesh Sambajirao Pandav, the head of the World Health Organisation Nepal, and Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, handed over the structure to Rabi KC, Mayor of Aathabiskot Municipality on Wednesday. 

During the ceremony, they also pledged further support for the infrastructure development of the health sector in the earthquake-affected areas. Mayor KC expressed that providing health services to citizens would be more manageable from the new building.

Following the earthquake, the health post, previously operating under a tent, has now resumed services in a newly constructed building. The establishment of this temporary health structure has brought joy to the locals, he added.

Chief Public Health Inspector Dev Bahadur Chand of the health post informed that three rooms equipped with medical supplies, along with separate toilets for men and women, have been constructed. “Providing services under the tent was challenging, but now, it will be easier to offer health services to the local community,” he said.

According to Chand, the WHO has provided health materials worth Rs. 889,588 along with a building valued at Rs. 6.32 million to the health post.

Likewise, a primary rehabilitation room for people with disabilities has been established within the temporary health structure at the village-level hospital in Chhote Bagar of Saniberi Rural Municipality.

Aiming to prevent and rehabilitate disability, a rehabilitation room has been constructed with an investment of Rs. 2.62 million with the assistance of WHO. Altogether, 31 health centres in Rukum West were affected by the earthquake that struck it and Jajarkot on November 3, 2023. 

Kali Bahadur Oli, the information officer of the Health Service Office, said that two health posts were completely destroyed while others have suffered structural damages.

After the health buildings were affected, some health centres are providing services from rented houses while the majority are delivering services under temporary tents.