KATHMANDU: Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh is setting up a modern eye hospital and ophthalmology research centre on the premises of the Tribhuvan University (TU) in Kirtipur.

The hospital cum research centre would be constructed on about 10 ropani area at an estimated cost of two billion rupees within six months.

TU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hira Bahadur Maharjan and Sangh Chairman Prof Dr Tirtha Prasad Mishra jointly laid the foundation stone of the hospital at a programme here today.

On the occasion, VC Maharjan declared posthumous donation of his eyes and said that the TU was striving for educational development through the public-private partnership concept.

Sangh Chairman Mishra expressed the belief that the hospital cum research centre would contribute to producing the skilled manpower required for the prevention of blindness and eye treatment in the country.

TU Rector Gunanidhi Neupane called for the cooperation from all sides for the construction of the eye hospital and research centre which aims to provide quality eye care services to the people at an affordable cost.

Senior physician at the Sangh Prof Dr Ram Prasad Pokharel said the plan is to develop the hospital as a model hospital of international standard. He suggested constructing such hospitals in other places outside the Kathmandu Valley.

Sangh Director Shailesh Kumar Mishra said that the study and research of related subjects would also be conducted in the hospital.