KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 8

The foundation stone for the construction of the Birthing Centre building at Kuri Health Post in Khaniyabas Rural Municipality, Dhading, was laid today.

The health post is being constructed with financial assistance from the Government of India under the 'Nepal-India Development Cooperation' initiative at a project cost of Rs 25.10 million. The project is classified as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP), according to the press released issued by Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.

The ceremony was attended by Dilman Pakhrin, Constituent Assembly Member; Ran Bahadur Tamang, Chairman of Khaniyabas Rural Municipality; and Gitanjali Brandon, Counsellor at the Embassy of India, Kathmandu.

The grant from India will be utilized for the construction of essential infrastructure, including the main birthing centre, a guard house, a compound wall, a canteen block, a pathway, and other allied facilities. The initiative aims to enhance healthcare services in the region, benefiting the local community.

During the event, local representatives and stakeholders expressed their gratitude for India's continued developmental support in Nepal. They emphasized that the new health post will significantly improve healthcare access for residents of Dhading and surrounding areas.

Since 2003, India has undertaken over 563 HICDPs across Nepal, completing 490 of them, including 108 projects in Bagmati Province. Additionally, India has donated 1,009 ambulances and 300 school buses to various institutions across Nepal. Dhading has received 15 ambulances and three school buses under this initiative, the press release said.

As close neighbours, India and Nepal are engaged in wide-ranging and multi-sectoral cooperation. The implementation of HICDPs reflects the continued support of the Government of India in bolstering the efforts of the Government of Nepal in upliftment of its people and augmenting infrastructure in the field of priority sectors, the embassy said.