Charikot Primary Heath Centre has started providing free medical services in Dolakha district.

According to the centre, around 6,000 people have benefited since the services were launched in mid-January. A total of 133 surgeries, including 32 major ones, have been performed so far, the centre said adding that 122 caesarean sections were performed on pregnant women.

Secretary at the Ministry of Health Santa Bahadur Shrestha said they have started free medical facilities in collaboration with the private sector for the first time in Nepal. “We have started to provide free medical treatment from Dolakha respecting the people’s right to life,” said Shrestha.

Dr Binod Dangal of the health centre said they have been providing free health services, including treatment of uterus ailments, appendix, hernia, hydrosil, orthopaedics, plastic surgery and surgeries on kids. The centre is also providing lab, x-ray, video x-ray, ultrasound and other check-up services for free, he added.

The centre, which is upgrading the current 30-bed facility to 50 beds, plans to build a 450-bed hospital in Charikot if the flow of patients increases in future.

Suraj Baidhya, chairman of Possible Health (formerly known as Nyaya Health), an NGO working in the health sector, said that they have collaborated with the government for 10 years to deliver high-quality free healthcare to the impoverished people in the district.    

Possible Health has developed a software named “Electronic Health Record System” at the centre which, according to Baidhya, helps maintain documents and records of patients electronically. He said the centre will be a model for all other hospitals across the country.