With the Cabinet on Thursday endorsing a proposal tabled by the Ministry of Health and Population, top officials such as the prime minister and President should be treated at the VIP and VVIP wards of Bir Hospital.

Such persons will be permitted to go abroad for treatment funded by the state only if Nepal Medical Board at the hospital decides that the case cannot be treated in hospitals within the country.

“We want to operate the VIP and VVIP wards of Bir Hospital smoothly,” said Health Minister Khagaraj Adhikari. He added that the government would not bear the treatment cost in cases not permitted by the medical board. The move comes in response to the growing trend of leaders going abroad for treatment of ailments that are well taken care of in the health facilities at home.