Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, March 4:

The urban health department, formed to provide basic health services to people residing in the municipalities, is soon going to establish an urban community health clinic in Ward-4. According to Urmila Joshi, adviser at the department, the clinic will commence its services in the near future.

Till date, some 19 such clinics in 35 wards have been a big benefit to the poor and needy residents of the municipality. Joshi informed that there were plans to expand the services in an additional three wards. A clinic will also be set up in the premises of the municipality office in Teku, Joshi added.

The clinics, which will be managed by the communities themselves, will provide general health, family planning and immunisation services. The clinics will provide free services during major festivals like Shivaratri, Teej and Bala Chaturdashi and medical personals working in the clinics will be mobilised during national immunisation and nutrition days. The medications provided in the clinic will be available at a cheaper rate — seven to 10 per cent.

"The other wards are also requesting for such clinics, but lack of proper infrastructure is the major hindrance in setting up such clinics in all wards," said Joshi.