Bharatpur Hospital has started providing free kidney dialysis service from Sunday. The new service will benefit the patients who would otherwise have been forced to visit private hospitals for medical tests and other treatments, incurring a huge expenses.

A total of 12 sets of equipment necessary for kidney dialysis have been installed in the hospital for the medical service. So far only two medical colleges have been providing dialysis service in the district.

Dhan Kumari Thapaliya, 62, of Salyantar, Dhading was the first patient to receive the free dialysis service.

Medical superintendent at the Hospital, Dr Rudra Marasini said that the free of cost service has been introduced at the hospital as per the government’s policy. “Patients with kidney ailment were forced to take costly dialysis services from private medical institutions,” said Dr Marasini, “Now the service is available at government hospital free of cost and people with low-income will benefit from it.”

Likewise, Dr Marasini informed that 6 medical personnel have been trained to administer the service adding that 24 patients can be treated in two phases. He further informed that 36 patients could benefit at a time once more personnel are trained for the service.

However, the hospital said that the patients will have to pay for additional diagnosis and medicines.

The hospital, last month, had bought various 32 types of new medical and other appliances worth around Rs 300 million after the Ministry of Health under the then Health Minister Gagan Thapa ensured budget to the hospital for the same through the Finance Ministry.

Approximately 200,000 patients from the district and neighboring districts including Dhanusha, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, and Parsa receive treatment at the hospital annually.