KATHMANDU: Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) on Monday handed over the 15-bed Bayal Pata hospital of Achham to Nyaya Health, a local NGO, to run the hospital for five years providing free medical service.

Dr Dhirga Singh Bom, secretary of MoHP said that the handover was based under the concept of Public Private Partnership (PPP) to provide qualitative medical service to people of the rural areas. He informed that the government had separated a yearly budget of Rs three million for the hospital which would start its services after two months.

“The handover is based on the programme and policy of the government to provide quality health service to general people,”

said Dr Bom, adding that local people, social institutions and political parties were all positive towards the positive move of the government.

Dr Jhapat Bahadur Thapa, medical officer of Nyaya Health informed that they would be able to provide surgical treatment as well as OPD services to patients within six months all for free. He said they would also be financially supported by Nyaya Health International of America.