The Health Ministry and Nepal Police are in discussion for opening the Police Hospital for the public and establishing a unit for treatment of high office-holders.

In a meeting held at the ministry on Friday, Health Minister Gagan Thapa urged police officials to open the hospital for the general public.

“The discussion of providing services to civilians at the police hospital has been around for quite some time,” said Minister Thapa.

“This preliminary discussion will help us figure out the working modality and the support that the ministry can provide.”

Ministry officials had also discussed about developing a specialty centre at the Nepal Police Hospital for the treatment of V/VIPs.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Dr Dinesh Chandra Pokhrel attended the meeting. Police officials had visited the ministry to request officials to revise the free post-graduate medical education seat allocation.

A health ministerial-level decision prioritises free PG seats at the National Academy of Medical Sciences for doctors working with the ministry while those with the Nepal Army and police are less privileged.

The officials have requested a revision to the provision so that Nepal Police could retain more doctors with the career development scheme. The Police Hospital had also recently applied for capacity expansion from 150 to 311 seats.

Following Friday’s meeting, the Health Ministry is preparing to write to the Home Ministry for more discussion on making the services available to the public.

The Nepal Police Headquarters has asked for the Home Ministry’s permission to make services at the Police Hospital available to the general public. Only police officials and personnel can avail of the health facility.