Kathmandu, July 27

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today stressed on increasing people’s access to health care.

Inaugurating a function held to mark 128th anniversary of Bir Hospital, the prime minister underscored the need for guaranteeing quality health care services to all within the country.

“The contribution of Bir Hospital to health sector since its establishment is appreciable. It is producing human resources to serve the people in far-flung settlements and I am hopeful that it will be able to ensure availability of quality health services at home,” he added.

The prime minister also pledged necessary support, including sufficient budget, for developing the hospital into a ‘hub of specialists’.

Also speaking on the occasion, Health Minister Girirajmani Pokhrel said the hospital could play a significant role in implementing health rights guaranteed by the constitution.

Likewise, former health minister Gagan Kumar Thapa said the hospital was expected to deliver quality services as it had competent human resources.

Hospital Director Prof Dr Bhupendra Basnet said the 460-bed hospital was constructing a new surgical ward by dismantling a nursing campus building.