Health Minister Gagan Thapa has expressed concern over frequent referrals of children Kanti Children’s Hospital at Maharajgunj to other private hospitals.

Minister Thapa, who was on an inspection visit on Tuesday morning, directed the hospital authorities to ensure that no children coming for treatment are turned away from the hospital to any other private facilities. He instructed the officials to submit a detailed report of patients who had been referred elsewhere, so that Ministry of Health can support in establishing the facility. “Many people get confused coming into the hospital. So establish an information desk as soon as possible,” Minister Thapa told the hospital management. He also asked the authorities there to keep the facility clean. “It will not cost much, and can be done immediately,” he said.

Some of the patients had even complained Thapa of the long queue at the emergency section.

Dr Ajit Rayamajhi, director at the hospital, said that their efforts to expand the intensive care unit have been stalled due to the budget crunch. In response, Health Ministry officials assured the hospital authority that the budget would no longer be an issue for the expansion of services. The only government referral hospital for children, Kanti receives more than 200 patients each day at its out-patient department.    

Since assuming the position of Health Minister, Thapa has been inspecting government hospitals in Kathmandu Valley.