Damauli, November 18

Damauli Hospital started providing dialysis service to the kidney patients in Tanahun from today.The health facility has been provided with necessary technical support from Health Care Foundation.

Earlier, kidney patients had no option but to rush to National Kidney Treatment Centre Balaju in Kathmandu.

The hospital introduced the facility from today after they managed five beds and other necessary equipment for the service.

Hari Raj Kandel, chairperson of the health facility, said a seven-member team led by nephrologist Rishi Kafle, who is also the executive director at National Kidney Treatment Centre, will mentor health workers at the hospital.

“It was possible for us to launch dialysis service at the health facility as Manju Upadhyaya of the district, who has been residing in Thailand, offered to support Rs 10 million, along with some necessary equipment in memory of her late husband Shatrudhan Upadhyay,” clarified Kandel, during today’s inauguration ceremony.

A total of five kidney patients from Lamjung, Gorkha and Tanahun were provided the service today, on the first day.

Kidney specialist Kafle said that Damauli Hospital was the first health facility out of Kathmandu Valley to provide dialysis service. “As there are five machines, at least five patients can be provided with the service at a time and it costs Rs 3,500 for every dialysis,” informed the hospital source.

Meanwhile, Health care Foundation Chairperson Krishna Acharya said that around 160 persons are provided the service from National Kidney Treatment Centre every day. This service will be extended to Tandi, Nepalgunj and Butwal, among other cities after Damauli.

Dr Pawan Jung Rayamajhi claimed that rural people of the district and adjoining areas would benefit from this. Ashok Kumar Shrestha, former chairperson of the hospital and Ram Nath Bhattarai appealed for everyone’s support to maintain the quality and sustainability of the service.

The government of Japan and other health specialists also extended their support to establish the hospital as a well-equipped health facility in the district.