KATHMANDU, MAY 17
The Government of Japan has pledged an additional grant of 573 million yen to Nepal for the improvement of the Trauma and Emergency Center at Dhulikhel Hospital, bringing the total Japanese assistance for the project to 3.869 billion yen.
The signing and exchange of notes took place in Kathmandu in the presence of Japan's Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ikuina Akiko, and Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Bishnu Prasad Paudel. The documents were signed by Maeda Toru, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, and Ghanshyam Upadhyaya, Secretary at the Ministry of Finance.
The original grant of 3.296 billion yen was formalized in October 2023. However, due to rising prices and a funding shortfall, the Japanese government has committed additional support to ensure timely completion of the project, according to the press statement released by the Japanese embassy in Kathmandu.
The Dhulikhel Hospital project aims to address the growing demand for trauma and emergency services in Nepal, especially as the country sees a surge in traffic-related accidents and non-communicable diseases such as stroke and heart disease, the release further stated.
Located on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Dhulikhel Hospital is one of Nepal's largest medical institutions and serves as a regional hub for wide-area healthcare services. The upgraded trauma and emergency facilities are expected to enhance the quality of medical care, support economic growth, and contribute to poverty reduction in Nepal, according to the press statement released by the Japanese embassy in Kathmandu, the embassy said.
