India to upgrade facilities at Bir Hospital in Nepal

New Delhi, May 13 (UNI) India will assist upgradation of facilities at the 200-bedded Emergency and Trauma Centre at Bir Hospital at Kathmandu in Nepal, the second such medical facility in South Asia after AIIMS.

The works to be undertaken include installation of modular type laboratory office furniture, hospital furniture and signage work.

India had already sanctioned Rs 108 crore for construction of a building for the Centre and a Project Monitoring Committee comprising of representatives of both the countries, constituted to monitor the implementation of the project.

The commitment is part of Bir Hospital's Master Plan for Out Patients' Department (OPD) and related services. The two countries had signed an agreement in 2003 on the modalities for implementing the project.

Officials said India's commitment to assisting Bir Hospital for acquiring improved and cutting edge infrastructure is based on an agreement signed between the two countries in 1983.

Located in the heart of Kathmandu, Bir Hospital is among the oldest civil hospitals in Nepal.

Cooperation in health sector between India and Nepal is deep and expanding. India has been associated with the construction/expansion work of Paropkar Hospital, Bir Hospital and Police Hospital, all at Kathmandu.

Since the last 23 years, India has also been assisting in Goitre Control through the supply of iodised salt to Nepal and transportation subsidy to the remote districts.

Ambulances are also gifted to Nepal Red Cross Society and other community government organisations.

Many Indian doctors from various prestigious medical institutions are on deputation to the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences imparting Medical education to the MBBS students.

The BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences was established with Indian assistance of Rs 100 crore.

UNI RB SP CS1742