Three hospitals have been put on standby to address any health emergency issue during Indian President Pranab Mukherjee’s three-day visit to Nepal beginning November 2. 

 The Ministry of Health on Friday directed Norvic International Hospital in the Capital and Janakpur Regional Hospital in Janakpur and Manipal Teaching Hospital in Pokhara to make all the necessary arrangements keeping in mind the visit of the Indian head of state. 

During his three-day stay in Nepal, Mukherjee will be visiting Janakpur and Pokhara as well. 

The arrangements include availability of specialist doctors, life-saving drugs, intensive care facilities and a standby ambulance. 

The Ministry of Health directive to the concerned hospitals has been made as per a request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).  “We have asked the hospitals to prepare a separate VVIP unit,” said Bhogendra Dotel, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health. 

Initially, MoFA had asked the Ministry of Health to arrange ambulances also. But later MoFA informed the Ministry of Health that the Embassy of India in Kathmandu had decided to manage ambulances. 

An ambulance will also be part of President Mukherjee’s motorcade. Norvic Hospital representatives said the hospital has made all the necessary arrangements as per the directive. Rajendra Bahadur Singh, chief executive officer of the hospital, however, refused to divulge the details citing security issues. 

Mukherjee’s personal physical will be in the Indian delegation that will arrive in Nepal.