Janakpur-based Muskan Hospital performed gallbladder surgery on a patient, but due to alleged negligence, the patient has remained unconscious for 20 days. In response to this incident, Madhes Province Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh launched an inspection of private hospitals early Saturday morning. During inspections of 20 private hospitals, authorities found that 19 were operating illegally.

The inspection team, led by Chief Minister Singh, identified several hospitals running without registration. These include Jeevan Jyoti Hospital & Research Center, BN Hospital & Research Center, Janakpur Sita Hospital, Janakpur Grande Hospital Pvt Ltd, Sain Multispeciality Hospital & Trauma Center, Ram Memorial Hospital Pvt Ltd, Samar Hospital, Care Medical Center, Nepal Apollo Hospital, Mithila Care Clinic, Janakpur Modern Hospital & Research Center Pvt Ltd, and Maa Gayatri Memorial Hospital Pvt Ltd.

Additionally, inspections were conducted at Max Hospital & Research Center Pvt Ltd, Switika Healthcare Hospital Pvt Ltd, Life Care & Research Center Pvt Ltd, Om Deerghayu Hospital Pvt Ltd, Arman Hospital, Naina Hospital, and Mihila International Hospital. Among them, only Max Hospital & Research Center Pvt Ltd was found to have all required documents in order, according to Chief Minister Singh.

Singh stated that most of these hospitals were operating without registration, and some had not renewed their licenses for up to four years. Accusing them of failing to meet legal standards and compromising public health, he directed that within 24 hours, all patients be transferred elsewhere, and the hospital keys be handed over to the government.

The chief minister vowed to continue strict inspections of private hospitals and warned of legal action against those endangering public health. The inspection team included Madhes Province Chief Secretary Madan Bhujel, Health and Population Ministry Secretary Dr Rajiv Mishra, and Dr Santosh Thakur.

The patient, identified as Pabita Kumari Ray Yadav from Haripurwa Municipality-5, Sarlahi, underwent gallbladder surgery at Muskan Hospital on Jan 16. Since then, she has been in a critical condition, struggling between life and death. According to the patient’s father, Brahmadev Yadav, the surgery was arranged through a middleman, Sushil Kumar Yadav. Dr Gyan Kumar Sah performed the operation, but Pavita lost consciousness immediately afterward.

“After the surgery, she was placed on a ventilator, but her condition did not improve. The hospital sent us outside for a CT scan, and after seeing the results, they told us to take her elsewhere for neurological treatment. On Jan 19, we transferred her to Janaki Healthcare, where she remains unconscious to this day,” said the father.

Pavita’s relative, Birendra Adhikari, accused the doctor of negligence during surgery, which he believes caused her critical condition. The family has filed complaints against the hospital and the doctor at the District Police Office, Dhanusha, and the Nepal Medical Council. “This was sheer medical negligence,” Adhikari said. “Both the doctor responsible and the middleman who convinced us to use Muskan Hospital should be held accountable. We are pleading for justice and urgent medical support to save Pavita’s life.”

Following the revelations, Chief Minister Singh ordered the immediate closure of Muskan Hospital. On Friday night, he personally visited the hospital and instructed its operator, Syed Ali, to shut it down and hand over the keys to the government. Muskan Hospital has now been sealed, and its patients have been transferred to Janaki Healthcare.