India funded project comes as boon to the people
Bir Hospital, Nepal's oldest and most prestigious healthcare institution, has taken a monumental step in revolutionising patient care by completing its new five-story Outpatient Department (OPD) complex. This modern facility, constructed with Rs.160 crore grant from India, symbolises a transformative shift in Nepal's healthcare infrastructure.
The OPD complex is a testament to the shared vision of the two nations to improve access to quality medical services. India's financial and technical assistance played a pivotal role, reflecting its commitment to fostering Nepal's healthcare evolution. Beyond funding, the collaboration underscores a spirit of solidarity to meet the growing demands of outpatient care in Kathmandu.
This interview with the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Bhupendra Kumar Basnet, and the Registrar, Dr Gyanendra Vikram Shah, of Bir Hospital explores the impact of this ambitious project, the significance of an OPD in ensuring timely healthcare, and how this facility bridges gaps in service delivery. It is a story of partnership, progress, and shared determination to enhance the well-being of countless Nepalese families.
1. What makes the new Bir Hospital surgical building a game-changer for patients and their families?
The new building houses a surgical unit with 15 surgical OTs, as well as wards and ICUs. It has definitely increased the bed numbers by 500; previously, we had only 490 beds in the old building, the operation theatre, which has been increased from seven to fifteen, and the ICU from fifteen to one hundred. Thus, service, surgery, ICU, and operation cases have increased multifold, which is unprecedented in Bir Hospital's history.
Additionally, this brings services closer to patients, providing not only medical care but also dignity, shorter wait times, and a safer, cleaner environment. It's a place where families can be confident that their loved ones are receiving the best possible care, marking a new chapter in Nepal's healthcare story.
2. Can you walk us through an OPD and why it's the heart of a hospital's operations?
Bir Hospital is more than just a hospital; it consists of multiple hospitals as departments. Every department is equivalent to a hospital. In this way, Bir Hospital has more than a dozen hospitals. We offer services ranging from general to specialised to super-specialised. Urology, nephrology, neurology, neurosurgery, gastroenterology, gastro surgery, and hepatology are among the specialised services provided. These services are less common in other hospitals, and we have at least eight specialists in each department to care for patients. And we welcome patients from all over Nepal.
However, the Outpatient Department (OPD) is where patients first interact with the hospital. It handles consultations, follow-ups, and non-critical emergencies, easing the burden on inpatient services. This new facility at Bir means that patients can receive seamless care, particularly in emergencies, without overwhelming the central hospital wards.
We have set up a system to make it operational. We serve 3000 patients directly through OPD, with a steady flow of people ranging from 15000 to 20000.
So space is the major challenge that we face here, and to address it, we have planned a new super specialist hospital in Duwakot, Bhaktapur, as well as this building as a city hospital with general services. We have proposed building a 1500-bed hospital in Duwakot that will primarily provide superspecialty care.
The hospital in the city will primarily handle emergencies, accidents, and routine care. If the Duwakot project is prioritised, it could be completed in four years, addressing all of Nepal's health issues and eliminating the need for Nepalis to fly out of the country for treatment.
3. How does this OPD complex improve patients' experience of relying on Bir Hospital in emergencies?
In an emergency, seconds count. The OPD complex streamlines patient triage and treatment, resulting in faster diagnosis and care. This alleviates stress for patients and families during critical times, making healthcare more accessible and humane.
However, the flow of patients has doubled. I was director in 2016, executive director in 2021, and currently vice chancellor. I have seen the patient flow. Previously, patient flow in the winter was 700-800 and in the summer 1500-1600. The current patient flow at Bir is around 2000 in the winter and 3000+ in the summer. It indicates that the patient flow has doubled and that people trust Bir services; as a result, we expanded our building and now have no space. As a result, we are expanding again in Duwakot.
4. Why was upgrading the OPD a priority for Bir Hospital?
The previous OPD faced capacity and infrastructure issues, leaving many patients underserved. Bir Hospital's upgrade now sets a standard for outpatient care, addressing overwhelming demand while creating a modern healing environment.
5. How has this project impacted healthcare workers at Bir Hospital?
This has catapulted services delivered to patients. There are more patient admissions, operations, and ICUs as specialist services expand. It had a positive impact on the healthcare system. For healthcare workers, the new OPD is more than just a facility; it is also a morale booster. It gives doctors and nurses better tools and environments to deliver care efficiently, improving their ability to save lives and promote wellness.
6. What lessons in resilience and collaboration does this project teach us?
Multilayer collaboration and cooperation is critical in every field. This OPD was based on shared visions and tireless collaboration. It demonstrates how nations can collaborate for the greater good, transforming ambition into action and developing healthcare solutions that change lives. And, as the government expected, we have been providing people with a comfortable service. And our services are not limited to patients; it also has a postgraduate centre, where over 1300 students have registered. We have already produced more than 3000 specialists.
7. What are some of the advanced features that patients and families will appreciate in this OPD?
There are numerous services available, including Tomotherapy, the only one in Nepal. This machine's radiation helps to treat cancer patients. There are numerous services available exclusively at Bir. Furthermore, Bir Hospital is the only place to find liver specialists, endocrinologists, and zerratic services.
Patients could also notice the attention to detail, which included digital record systems and specialised clinics, as well as waiting areas designed for comfort. It is about meeting needs while maintaining the dignity of everyone who walks through those doors. However, we are still working on comprehensive digitalisation.
8. How does this OPD connect Nepalese healthcare to global standards?
This is not just a hospital, but also a university. The university hospital has three primary goals, one of which is to provide services. Patients are admitted, treated, and cured in service facilities. Academics come next, with 1300 students and more than 3000 specialists. And we have also been conducting research. Foreign students are also enrolled here, including those from India, Bhutan, and Myanmar. We currently have seven foreign students, with plans to increase to over two dozen by next year.
Gyanendra: We also have affiliated hospitals throughout Nepal, as well as universities from the West to the Global South.
Patients from Western countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, benefit from our reasonably priced and timely services. Patients from neighbouring countries have also sought and are receiving a variety of services.
Furthermore, the OPD represents a significant step forward, incorporating global best practices in design and operation. It demonstrates how Nepal aligns its healthcare infrastructure with international standards, ensuring that no one is left behind.
9. What role has training and skill transfer played in the success of this project?
Gyanendra: Skill development has been a priority, with training programmes helping employees learn advanced techniques and technologies. These investments increase capacity for Bir and the entire healthcare system.
Last time, students from Singapore joined us here to learn a variety of skills. Similarly, we have been sending students and consultants for skills. They were recently sent to Singapore to learn breast cancer treatment skills.
Bhupendra: Recently, two students stayed at Trauma and were surprised to see cases. They shared that they learnt a lot. We are also welcoming visitors from the United States and the United Kingdom.
10. What would you say to a family walking into the OPD for the first time?
We would say, "Welcome to a place designed with your well-being in mind." This OPD ensures that, regardless of your challenge, you will receive compassionate, timely, and high-quality care.
Furthermore, we have been able to gain the trust of others. We have been able to provide the best services possible; whoever comes is welcomed and given access to all of our services. We are prepared to serve in any capacity. The poor are not charged any money.
