A philanthropist in Narayangadh, Chitwan, has pledged to donate Rs 30 million to set up a hospital for the treatment and rehabilitation of those suffering from spinal injuries and spinal related diseases.

Ninety-year-old Udaya Kumar Piya, a renowned businessperson in Narayangadh, announced that he will provide the necessary fund for the construction of the hospital. Following Piya’s pledge to donate Rs 30 million, the foundation stone of the hospital was laid at Bharatpur Metropolitan City-3 amidst a function on Monday.

Piya and the Chitwan Rotary Club signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), pledging to provide the fund once the construction works start. As per the MoU, Piya will provide the pledged amount in instalments.

The Rotary Club had set up a Spinal Injury Unit in Bharatpur Hospital six years ago, and has been providing treatment to patients of spinal injuries. The club’s aim to establish a separate state-of-the-art hospital came closer to its goal when Piya pledged the donation and Bharatpur Metropolis provided one bigha of land at Bahraghare Sanu Majhuwa for the hospital. Kapil Babu Khanal, chief of the Rotary Club of Chitwan, told the Post, “Our dream to set up a hospital for those afflicted with spinal injuries is going to materialise soon.”

The estimated cost of the hospital’s construction is Rs 50 million. The Rotary Club of Chitwan and various other Rotary clubs will collect an additional Rs 20 million to build the hospital. The Rotary International and Spinal Injuries Association among other organisations are expected to help in procuring necessary equipment and arrange human resources.

“The construction of the 25-bed hospital will be completed within two years,” said Uttam Lal Chuke, the coordinator of the building project. In recognition of Piya’s contribution, the hospital will be named Udaya Kumar-Chameli Devi Piya Chitwan Spinal Injury Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre.

Piya said he was happy to fund the construction of the hospital.

“I had planned on opening a hospital while my eldest son was studying medical science. I agreed to provide Rs 30 million donation when they (rotary club members) approached me with the novel idea of building a hospital to treat spinal injuries,” said Piya.