The Cabinet has approved the Ministry of Health and Population’s proposal to upgrade five government hospitals across the country as super-specialist hospitals. Unveiling the Cabinet’s decision on Thursday, government Spokesperson and Minister for Information and Communication Gokul Prasad Banskota said Koshi Zonal Hospital, Narayani Sub-regional Hospital, Bharatpur Hospital, Bheri Zonal Hospital and Dadeldhura Sub-regional Hospital will be upgraded.

The ministry has also allocated a budget of Rs750 million to upgrade these hospitals. “As super-specialist hospitals, they will have better quality infrastructures and more qualified doctors to look after the patients. These hospitals will be a referral centre in their respective regions, which can provide major treatments and operations,” said health ministry spokesperson Mahendra Prasad Shrestha. “The budget is limited for this fiscal year but will be increased in the next fiscal year,” said Shrestha.

Meanwhile, the ministry is planning to establish the first government medical college in Province 2 for which the cabinet has already given the nod. The cabinet on Monday had endorsed the Health Ministry’s proposal to set up an academy of health sciences in Rajbiraj Municipality of Saptari.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population Upendra Yadav had tabled the proposal in the cabinet to establish the medical college in Rajbiraj. According to Health Secretary Kedar Bahadur Adhikari, the ministry will soon formulate an act to run the academy.

“Locals of Province 2 have been deprived of quality health service for a long time. The proposed college will not only provide quality health services, but also offer job opportunities for many locals and will support the development of Saptari as well,” stated the Health Ministry press statement.

Health Ministry official said that while the cabinet has endorsed the establishment of the academy, a detailed study on the proposed academy is yet to start. “It is still not sure about how many beds will be in the medical college. The committee has only submitted the report of constructing the college in Rajbiraj,” said Mahesh Chaurasiya, personal aide to Yadav.  

“The cabinet decision has confirmed the area for the college. The study for required infrastructures will also start soon,” added Chaurasiya.