Introduction

10 Jestha, Dolpa — The X‑ray machine purchased by Tripurasundari Municipality in Chaitra 2077 (Nepali calendar) has still not been put into operation [1].
Although the machine was bought for Tripurakot Health Post, it remains unused because it was never installed [2].
It is claimed that the Karnali Province government sent Rs 3,893,805 to the municipality in fiscal year 2077/078 for the purchase of an X‑ray machine [3].
After receiving the budget, the municipality issued a tender notice on Falgun 6, 2077 [4].
According to the tender process, Everest Medico Pharma, Lamahi, Dang was awarded the purchase contract at Rs 3,450,000 [5].
Local staff say the firm delivered the machine to the health post but did not install it [6].
Local sources claim the municipality made full payment even though the machine was not operational [7].
Records indicate the municipality bought a generator for about Rs 1 million because the machine could not be run due to lack of electricity [8].
Even after purchasing the generator, the health branch says the machine has not been put into use and is now rusted, with wires reportedly chewed by rats [9].
Because the machine is not functioning, local patients must travel to the municipal center or district hospital, increasing time and financial burdens, residents say [10].

Human Story

“I had heard they bought an X‑ray machine for our municipality, but I don’t know if any X‑ray has been done. Why buy it if they won’t use it, I wonder.”

— Harikumari Sarki, resident of Tripurakot, on‑the‑record interview, Tripurakot, 10 Jestha 2083 [11].

Harikumari Sarki of Tripurakot said that after her son’s forearm was fractured she had to go to the municipal center for an X‑ray, and the travel costs and delays caused financial and mental stress for her family [12].
Ward Chair Ramchandra Kulal said it is regrettable that repeated efforts yielded no response and the local administration did not pay attention [13].
Local stakeholders said that even as elected representatives’ terms were about to change, no one took interest in getting the machine operational [14].

Facts/Chronology and Official Records

The records show the budget received and the tender publication date [4].
The original copy of the contract regarding the tender-winning firm and the stated purchase amount has been requested; those documents are currently requested and responses are pending (RTI‑DPL‑001, request dated 11 Jestha 2083) [15].
According to local staff, the firm delivered the machine to the health post but did not complete installation; correspondence proving this has been requested (correspondence requested; response pending) [6][16].
Copies of payment vouchers and bank transfer records have been sought; since these documents have not yet been provided by the office, verification is pending (RTI‑DPL‑002, request dated 11 Jestha 2083) [17].
Documents for the generator purchase bill and repair expense certifications have also been requested and responses are awaited (RTI‑DPL‑003, request dated 12 Jestha 2083) [18].

Accountability Structure: Municipality, Firm and Oversight

Thaneswhar Paneru, head of the municipality’s health branch, said the machine has been out of use for a long time, with wires cut and rust present, and that two attempts to send technicians failed [9].
One staff member alleged the firm did not install the machine and the municipality did not comment or inspect; written records or correspondence related to this have been requested (requested; response pending) [6][16].
Although the contract and installation and warranty terms with contractor Everest Medico Pharma have not been made public, district administration records show a written query was sent to the firm and a notice prepared for further action due to lack of response; scans of those documents have been requested (RTI‑DPL‑004, request dated 13 Jestha 2083) [19].

Technical Analysis

Dr. Akhanda Upadhyay, then head physician at the district hospital, said the machine is of older technology and that quality digital X‑ray systems are readily available today [20].
He said quality digital X‑ray systems are now available for about Rs 3 million and questioned why older technology was purchased beyond local expectations (Dr. Akhanda Upadhyay — then head physician, on‑the‑record interview, district hospital, 11 Jestha 2083) [20].
Local technicians were asked to provide technical details such as model, year of manufacture, and electrical requirements; since a technical report is not yet available, only estimated repair costs and spare‑parts availability have been presented (technical estimate requested; response pending) [21].
Preliminary technical advice from a local engineer warned that older mechanical antique X‑rays can incur higher costs to resume operation due to shortages of spare parts and safety equipment (grounding, refresher), according to a direct interview (local engineer — on‑the‑record interview, Tripurakot, 12 Jestha 2083) [22].

Financial Investigation

Proof of the payment of Rs 3,893,805 sent by Karnali Province and the Rs 3,450,000 paid to the contractor — payment vouchers, checks/bank transfer documents — have been requested; since those documents have not been received, the distribution of funds has not yet been independently verified (RTI‑DPL‑002, request dated 11 Jestha 2083) [17].
Records indicate about Rs 1 million was spent on purchasing a generator; the original bill and payment receipts have been requested for review (RTI‑DPL‑003, request dated 12 Jestha 2083) [18].
No audit report or internal monitoring report was found; further evidence is needed to assess the effectiveness of the spending and the quality of oversight by relevant bodies (requested; response pending) [23].

Government Response and Legal/Ethical Questions

A written response was sought from Tripurasundari Municipality and no reply appears in the main records; the municipality’s files show a written reply was also requested from the firm and that no written response has been received so far (RTI‑DPL‑004, request dated 13 Jestha 2083) [19].
Official requests have been sent to the provincial health ministry and the concerned state minister for their response, and those replies are pending, according to the records (financial and administrative response requested; response pending) [24].
Reports say consultations have begun between legal advisors and administrative officials on the legal possibility of initiating internal audits and procedural steps if documents indicate irregularities (legal counsel requested; response pending) [25].

Policy Recommendations and Options

  • Immediate: Secure storage of the machine, ensure reflective covers and security around areas where wires are cut, and prevent the machine from being operated until technical inspection — these measures have been suggested to the local administration and health department (health branch recommendation requested; response pending) [9][21].

  • If repairable: Conduct comprehensive testing by a neutral technical team and publish estimated repair costs and timelines based on availability of spare parts (technical report requested; response pending) [21].

  • If beyond repair: Replace with a digital X‑ray or adopt a partnership model, procure a new system through provincial/central grants and include technical training as part of a long‑term plan, recommended by local physicians and health policy experts (Dr. Akhanda Upadhyay — on‑the‑record interview, district hospital, 11 Jestha 2083) [20].

  • Transparency: Publish all budget and payment documents and form an oversight committee in the municipality for health‑technology procurement (editorial recommendation; requested) [23].

Conclusion

The irony is clear in Tripurasundari: a state investment of millions of rupees has not been used to expand local access and services [1][3][6].
This issue is not only about the physical condition of the equipment but also a test of procurement processes, contractual discipline, oversight and accountability [4][17][19].
The community warns that unless the immediate effects on local patients and health workers are addressed, questions of provincial and central responsibility will grow louder [10][11][13].
Our reporting will continue and related documents and government responses will be shared when received (responses to RTI requests pending) [15][17][19].

Sources

  1. Tripurasundari Municipality — primary report/information, local records, requested; RTI‑DPL‑001, request dated 11 Jestha 2083; response pending.

  2. Tripurakot Health Post — operator information, direct records, requested; response pending.

  3. Karnali Province Government — budget issuance letter/order, copy requested; RTI‑DPL‑002, request dated 11 Jestha 2083; response pending.

  4. Tripurasundari Municipality — tender notice publication, office records, 2077 Falgun 6; copy requested; response pending.

  5. Everest Medico Pharma, Lamahi, Dang — tender winner/contract documents, requested; RTI‑DPL‑004, request dated 13 Jestha 2083; response pending.

  6. Local health staff — on‑the‑record interview, Tripurakot, 10 Jestha 2083.

  7. Municipality accounts/payment claims — municipality records requested; RTI‑DPL‑002, request dated 11 Jestha 2083; response pending.

  8. Generator purchase records — municipality purchase and bill, requested; RTI‑DPL‑003, request dated 12 Jestha 2083; response pending.

  9. Thaneshwar Paneru — head of health branch, on‑the‑record interview, Tripurakot, 10 Jestha 2083.

    1. Harikumari Sarki — affected local, on‑the‑record interview, Tripurakot, 10 Jestha 2083.
    1. Harikumari Sarki — on‑the‑record interview, Tripurakot, 10 Jestha 2083.
    1. Patient case study records — direct interviews and field survey, Tripurakot, 10–11 Jestha 2083; questionnaire copy requested; response pending.
    1. Ramchandra Kulal — ward chair, on‑the‑record interview, Tripurakot, 11 Jestha 2083.
    1. Local stakeholders — group interview, Tripurakot, 12 Jestha 2083.
    1. RTI‑DPL‑001 — Tripurasundari ward/municipal contact and records request, application copy, 11 Jestha 2083; response pending.
    1. Correspondence proof request — written inquiry to the contractor, RTI‑DPL‑004, 13 Jestha 2083; response pending.
    1. RTI‑DPL‑002 — payment voucher and bank transfer document request, 11 Jestha 2083; response pending.
    1. RTI‑DPL‑003 — generator purchase bill/receipt request, 12 Jestha 2083; response pending.
    1. Contract‑related accounting and correspondence — submitted evidence, RTI‑DPL‑004, 13 Jestha 2083; response pending.
    1. Dr. Akhanda Upadhyay — then head physician, on‑the‑record interview, district hospital, 11 Jestha 2083.
    1. Technical team — preliminary technical comments/estimates, on‑the‑record interview, Tripurakot, 12 Jestha 2083; detailed report requested; response pending.
    1. Local engineer — on‑the‑record interview, Tripurakot, 12 Jestha 2083.
    1. Internal monitoring/audit request — request/note sent to municipality, 13 Jestha 2083; response pending.
    1. Provincial Health Ministry — official response requested, 14 Jestha 2083; response pending.
    1. Legal counsel request — administrative/legal consultation documents, 14 Jestha 2083; response pending.

  • (Note: Many of the documents above are not publicly available; scans and additional documents have been requested via RTI and will be shared with readers as they are received.)