KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 7

Member of the National Assembly, Sonam Galzen Sherpa, and Executive Director of the Um Hong Gil Human Foundation, Captain Um Hong Gil, came together in an event to jointly inaugurate the Um Hong Gil Namche Community Hospital in Namche Bazar, Solukhumbu, on Monday.

'This hospital stands as a profound testament to the love and human harmony demonstrated by the Korean people. It embodies their belief that even the residents of remote Himalayan regions and tourists should have access to essential medical care,' according to the statement issued by Um Hong Gil Human Foundation.

Um Hong Gil Human Foundation Korea has generously contributed 20 million rupees towards the construction of the Um Hong Gil Namche Community Hospital. This hospital, established in 2017 and temporarily closed due to technical challenges, will now be operated through the collaborative financial support of the Um Hong Gil Foundation and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality. The Um Hong Gil Human Foundation has committed to providing US$ 3,000 (three thousand) in monthly support for the hospital's operation for the next 2 years, while the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality will cover the remaining costs, the statement contunued.

This newly inaugurated hospital is set to provide high-quality healthcare services to a wide spectrum of beneficiaries. The hospital's services include general health check- ups, telemedicine consultations, delivery services, X-ray and ECG diagnostics, emergency care, altitude sickness treatment, gynecological care, family planning, and maternal and child services. In total, it will serve 9,217 residents of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, as well as approximately 200,000 individuals, including local and international hikers and mountaineers, UHGHF said.

'Captain Um Hong Gil, an extraordinary Korean mountaineer renowned for being the first person to successfully ascend sixteen mountains exceeding 8,000 meters in height across the world, has upheld a sacred promise to the Himalayan God. His vow was to dedicate his life to humanitarian service if he returned alive from his daring expeditions. Thus far, his commitment to this promise has led to the support of 19 schools across 14 districts, including the establishment of this remarkable hospital and reconstruction of 2 monasteries in Khumbu region and scholarship to many deprived students.'

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Ra Jeong-chan, Chairman of Biostar Group Korea, who promised to support the salary for 1 doctor and 1 nurse of the hospital. Besides this, eight other distinguished Korean guest attended the ceremony including Park Sang-won, one of the most popular Korean cinema artist. Similarly, Mingma Chhiri Sherpa, Chairperson and Tashi Lhamu Sherpa, Vice Chairperson of the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu, alongside the local populace, representative of Namche Mothers Group, Namche Youth Group, local government officials, and dedicated social workers from the Solukhumbu District also attended the ceremony.