Siraha, December 13:

Pranay Barma, counsellor and head of economic section at the Indian Embassy, today laid the foundation stone for the construction of a hospital in Madar of Siraha. The hospital —Chandra Narayan Yadav Memorial Maternity Hospital — will be constructed with Indian assistance of Rs 2,19,76,930.

On the occasion, Barma said that India has increased its investment in Nepal after the end of

insurgency in economic, social, education and health sectors. India and its people are committed to help Nepal’s peace process, he said.

The new hospital aims to control the rising maternal and child mortality in the district and provide easy health services. Hundreds of thousands of pregnant women along the Indo-Nepal border are expected to benefit after the construction of the hospital.

A local social worker Urmila Devi Yadav has donated five katthas and 13 dhur of land and Dr Subhash Chandra lend five katthas for the hospital with 25 beds.

Chairperson of the trust and lawmaker Sita Devi Yadav said that India should cooperate with Nepal in tackling the rising crimes and insecurity in Tarai districts. Barma also laid the foundation stone for the construction of Dhangadhi-based Natural Health Hospital today. According to chairman of the health institution’s Siraha branch Nathuni Singh Danuwar, the Indian embassy is providing nearly Rs 30 million for construction of the hospital.