Kathmandu, April 25:

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala today inaugurated the country’s first neuro hospital — the Bansbari-based National Institute of Neurological and Allied Sciences — today.

Koirala said, “With the establishment of this hospital, people will not have to go abroad for neurological treatment. The dream of Dr Upendra Devkota has come true.” He added, “The hospital should have a rehabilitation centre and it should run classes to produce more neurologists. These two additions will make the hospital a complete one.”

“We cannot let the patients die just because there is no neuro hospital in the country,” said Prof Dr Upendra Devkota, adding, “We established the hospital to serve the Nepali patients in Nepal.”

“The patients can avail themselves of world-class service at a minimal cost at the neuro hospital,” Devkota said.

According to Dr Devkota, the hospital will treat all brain and spinal disorders. Apart from other departments, the newly established hospital has 80 beds, three well-equipped operation theatres and 12 ICUs.

Dr Bishwo Raj Dali, vice-chancellor of the National Academy of Medical Sciences, said, “The hospital will control brain-drain by training young students and stop outflow of nation’s money.”