Kathmandu, December 6

Vice-president Nanda Bahadur Pun said all citizens must have access to health services provided by the government.

Speaking at a function held to inaugurate the recently renovated operation theatre in Nepal Eye Hospital today, Pun praised the hospital for providing quality services at affordable prices not only to Nepali citizens, but also to foreigners.

The Nepal Eye Hospital renovated its operation theatre to meet the criteria set by the World Health Organisation with the financial support from Canadian organisation Operation Eyesight Universal.

Advisor to Nepal Eye Hospital Dr Ram Prasad Pokhrel said that there were 200,000 visually impaired people in the country. “The hospital has been helping those in need for the last four decades.”

NEH sees more than 400 patients everyday, of which 150 patients come to treat irritations and allergies caused by pollution.

“Most people living in the city areas have various eye problems. Many people over the age of 50 show symptoms of cataracts, while many younger patients suffer from glaucoma caused by pollution,” said Indu Prasad Dhungel, director at Community Eye Service.