Khotang, 15 barsa dheki chikitshak nahuda birami mar ma. July 22, Patients from the two parts of the district are compelled to charter helicopter, paying a high price, to travel to other places in order to receive medical treatment owing to the lack of doctors in the health post. Primary health centers established 15 years ago in Aiselu Kharka and Chisapani VDC still wait for doctors. The patients in the surrounding area are compelled to pay up to Rs 150,000 to visit the capital to get treatment. Mani Ram Dhakal, Nayab subba at the district public health office, said that though letters from Ministry and department regarding the appointment of doctors was received, no doctors arrived at the health centers since their establishment. Tej Prasad Niraula, a local from Aiselukharka VDC said that the primary health center was offering services as that of health post due to lack of doctors. As there are no doctors the patients have to becarried in doko (bamboo basket) or carried in chopper to other places, he said. Though the appointment letter of Rabindra Shrestha as doctor for Aishelu Kharka was received by the district public health office, he never turned up. Currently the primary health center is operated only by health assistant Om Jung Sahi. Likewise, Chisapani health post is operated by Assistant Health Worker Raj Kumar Das. Doctor Pujan Balla, who was sent for the Chisapani health center, is kept at the District Hospital Diktel. The DPHO said that Balla was kept in the district hospital as Medical Superintendent Kalyan Basnet was staying the Shukraraj Tropical Disease Hospital in Teku and Medical Officer Om Biju Pant was in study leave. Chief of district hospital Dr. Nabal Kishor Jha said that the health centers was without doctors for a long time since due to the trend of not assuming duty on the basis of nexus and some returning even if they take charge. Recently, 50 Assistant Health Workers and 29 Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery were appointed by the Public Service Commission. However, there are still 51 health workers needed, according to the district hospital. There is one hospital, two primary health center, 24 health posts and 49 sub-health posts in the district.