KATHMANDU: The oldest running state-owned Bir Hospital has introduced the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) service in response to the needs of patients.

Minister for Health, Ram Janam Chaudhary, inaugurated the service introduced at an investment of Rs 86.1 million at the Hospital.

The Minister also pledged to leave no stone unturned to fully equip the Hospital with all needed facilities.

"A modern hi-tech building construction is underway to develop the Bir Hospital as the central hospital and no effort will remain uninitiated in making it a reliable hospital, not just for the poor people," Minister Chaudhary asserted.

He added that the government was deviated from its promise turning the hospital into one that provides all sort of medical treatments and services.

Bir Hospital Director, Dr Swoyam Prasad Pandit, said that the patients would not have to pay much with the launching of the MRI service.

"The cost of MRI is higher than Rs 12,000 outsid," he said, "But, at Bir Hospital, it will be available for Rs 7,000."