By Janarjan Khatri
Sarlahi, Feb. 7: In the geographically remote settlements of the northern Chure region of Sarlahi, makeshift stretcher (prepared using bed sheet and bamboo) is still used to carry the sick people.
Residents of Chure, which is not connected to the road network, are forced to rely on the makeshift stretcher locally called Jholungo to reach the hospital when they fall ill. There is such a problem in the settlements of Ishworpur, Lalbandi, Hariwan of Chure region of Bagmati Municipality of the district.

Balimaraj Waiba of Ishworpur Municipality-12, Pipaldamar said that if any one fell ill in the village, 10/12 people would be forced to carry them to Gharibatha, located at a distance of more than three hours' walk. "It is easier when the bus arrives in village in winter season by driving across the river, but it is always a problem when it rains," said Waiba, who is also a village leader.

The situation is similar in Lamidamar, Phuljor Sheer, Guidung and other settlements of Ishworpur Municipality, Waiba said. The inhabitants of the area move across the river banks during the winter and rainy seasons.
Even in the upper part of the district, Lalbandi area is also facing trouble to bring sick people to the hospital. Ward Chairman of Lalbandi-14, Narayankhola, Subai Singh Blon said that the daily life of the people of Narayankhola is very difficult due to lack of roads.

As regular buses do not run, some residents of Narayankhola come to the market on tractors. According to the locals, when they return from the market, they are compelled to wait for hours while the river gets flooded.
"In case of general illness, first aid is given in the village but in case of serious illness, it is compulsory to carry the patient to Pattharkot," said ward chairman Blon.

For the convenience of the patients, the ward office has distributed one stretcher to each of the nine wards of the former Narayankhola VDC.
Chief of Lalbandi Municipality Man Bahadur Khadka said that residents of the area have been facing the trouble of transportation. Settlements like Narayan River, Kalinjor, Kore Khop, Bhitrikhola, Bahuni Danda and others of Lalbandi-15 have also been facing the problem of transportation, Gorakh Bahadur Bal, ward chairperson, said.