BHAKTAPUR, AUGUST 5

Minister of Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet has said health sector infrastructure associated with humanitarian needs would be constructed with due priority.

In a field visit of the proposed Bir Hospital construction site in Changunarayan of Bhaktapur district today, Minister Basnet directed officials to immediately complete the preliminary tasks of delineation, fencing and fixing access route. 'The country's model hospital is being developed here. Coordination and cooperation of all the stakeholdersis expected to advance the hospital construction,' Minister Basnet said. Seven years ago, the government had decided to construct the hospital with maximum of 1,500 beds in the area spread over 570 ropani land.

As per the government's request to the Chinese side, a feasibility study has been completed.

The government is expected to request to the Chinese government for development of the hospital prior to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's upcoming China visit. 'We expect completion of preliminary tasks on our part prior to the PM's visit.

This project should be advanced through diplomatic channel.

A version of this article appears in the print on August 6, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.