Kathmandu, November 12

The Maharajgunj-based Nepal Police Hospital has been opened to the general public for preventive and curative health services.

Inspector General of Police Prakash Aryal inaugurated the services amid a function organised at the hospital today. Established in 1984, the hospital was solely dedicated to providing free health services to in-service police employees, their families, and retired personnel and their spouses until yesterday.

The hospital was opened to the general public as per the May 18 decision of the Council of Ministers. Addressing the inaugural function, IGP Aryal said the opening of the hospital to the public for health services showed how committed Nepal Police was to provide services to the people.

“Nepal Police has also attached high priority to the citizens’ right to health as guaranteed by the constitution. It will provide us with an opportunity to strengthen our relations with the public through health services,” he said. IGP Aryal also directed the doctors and health personnel associated with the hospital to deliver reliable, dependable and effective services.

Dr Dinesh Chandra Pokhrel, AIG and medical director at the hospital, informed that OPD service would remain open for the general public from 1:30 to 3:00pm daily. The 311-bed hospital has set aside 20 beds for general ward and 30 beds for post-operative wards.

The hospital will be providing general medicine, surgery, gynaecology, orthopaedics, dental, radiology, ENT and ophthalmology services.

The hospital fee for the general public will be on par with government-run hospitals. The infrastructure of the hospital was built with financial support of the government and voluntary contribution of police personnel. Some equipment were donated by the Government of India and a Japanese club.  The government has been bearing all the expenses of the hospital.  According to officials, the routine annual budget allocated by the government to the hospital is inadequate. Therefore, Police Welfare Fund has established to provide health services to the family members of the serving and retired police personnel and their spouses.