KATHMANDU: The Everest Summiteers Association has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kapan-based Karuna hospital to facilitate affordable health services to mountain climbers.

The five-year-long agreement between two institutions aims to benefit all ESA members as they opt for medical treatment in the coming days, said Shiva Bahadur Sapkota, general secretary of ESA.

The agreement which was signed by hospital's Chief Executive Officer Dr Ram Kumar Shrestha and ESA President Maya Sherpa in the premises of Karuna Hospital states that the services provided by Karuna Hospital are for the ESA members along with their direct dependents including spouse, children, siblings, children of siblings, parents and parents-in-law.

'Following the MoU, Karuna Hospital shall provide 35% discount on bed charge, 15% discount on diagnostic and procedurals and other charges including drugs/medicines, implants, disposables, packages and outsourced services,' Dr Shrestha said, adding that ESA card holders would get 20% discount on diagnostic and procedural charges.

Karuna Hospital shall provide privilege cards to the eligible personnel and their kin after an official form was filled by the participants, the MoU reads. 'ESA cards will also be regarded as equivalent to the privilege card to get the stated benefits,' Sapkota added.

According to Shrestha, for the holder of health insurance and third party payee, discount will not be available but the amount of prevailing discount will be donated to Karuna Pragya Foundation, a non-profit charity.

Similarly, Karuna Hospital shall provide biannual health checkup package of choice at 25% discount to all the privilege card holders.