It has been found that more than 58 pharmacies, polyclinics, and private hospitals are operating illegally in Gulariya Municipality without obtaining permission.
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It has been found that pharmacies are being operated without permission even in the municipality where Bardiya’s district headquarters is located. Within Gulariya Municipality alone, it has been revealed that 58 polyclinics, pharmacies, pathology labs, and private hospitals are operating illegally without obtaining a license from the Lumbini Province Health Department. According to the health branch of Gulariya Municipality, five pharmacies are operating without even having a name.
Social activist Rajkumar Verma from Gulariya said that in Gulariya–11, an Indian national has been operating a pharmacy illegally, but the regulatory body has shown no concern. He stated that although pharmacies have been operating illegally for years, no action has been taken by anyone.
Locals say that in Gulariya–9 and 10, which border India, some pharmacies are being operated illegally from private homes. Ward Chairperson Hariprasad Pasi of Gulariya–10 said that since there are 8 to 10 illegal pharmacies in the area, it is necessary for the regulatory body to initiate action. He stated that since he has been ward chairperson for two terms, there has been no monitoring of illegally operated pharmacies from any authority.
There is also a City Hospital in Gulariya that has been operating with an investment of over one crore rupees without completing the registration and licensing process. Shivkumar Chaudhary, head of the health branch of Gulariya Municipality, said that they have corresponded with City Hospital to register after meeting health standards. “In Ward 6 of the district headquarters, the highest number of pharmacies are operating without a license,” he said, “We have increased surveillance on the five unnamed pharmacies and fake doctors and have instructed them to register according to health standards within 35 days.”
The operators of City Hospital, however, said they have obtained temporary permission from the municipality. Dr. Mukesh Jha, operator of City Hospital, which was established about two years ago, said that the hospital would be registered after meeting health standards within six months. The municipality had already corresponded last year to operate City Hospital in compliance with health standards.
The Public Health Office has stated that the exact number of businesses related to illegally operated pharmacies in Bardiya is not known. Information Officer Padma Shrestha of the office said that so far, only three polyclinics in Bardiya have been registered at the health office. “Those who do not meet the health standards cannot be registered,” she said, “To be registered, there must be agreements in accordance with health standards, such as being disability-friendly, staff salaries, and at least a 10 percent discount for the underprivileged.” Gulariya’s health branch chief Chaudhary said that the process of taking action against illegally operated pharmacies will be initiated soon.
