KATHMANDU: Patient flow has surged in government hospitals across the capital on Monday following the government’s decision to suspend outpatient department (OPD) services on Sundays.

The weekend closure, introduced as part of a broader policy granting public holidays on Saturdays and Sundays to address global fuel shortages, has led to a sharp rise in patient numbers at major public health facilities. The increased influx is putting additional strain on already limited resources.

Hospitals including Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Bir Hospital, and National Trauma Center have reported long queues since early morning, with thousands of patients seeking services ranging from routine check-ups to specialized treatments.

Medical professionals say the growing pressure is affecting service delivery. With limited manpower and infrastructure, a single physician is often required to examine between 100 to 150 patients a day far exceeding international standards that recommend 30 to 40 patients daily for quality care.

Health workers warn that the increased workload and time constraints are making it difficult to provide adequate attention to each patient, potentially compromising the quality of care.

Meanwhile, access to private healthcare remains out of reach for many due to high costs. Even basic consultations at private hospitals can cost thousands of rupees, forcing low- and middle-income patients to rely heavily on government facilities.

A health department official said the situation is unlikely to improve without expanding human resources, upgrading equipment, and strengthening infrastructure in public hospitals. Enhancing services at primary healthcare centers and provincial hospitals could help ease the burden on major facilities in the capital, the official added.

Experts have also stressed the need for effective implementation of health insurance programs, expansion of healthcare services in rural areas, and an increase in the number of medical professionals to better manage the rising demand.