1.08 billion Indian assistance for 200-bed Emergency & Trauma Centre

The government of India has sanctioned assistance of NRs.1.08 billion for the construction of a building for 200-bed Nepal Bharat Maitri Emergency & Trauma Centre at Bir Hospital, Kathmandu.

A press statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said, Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Shiv Shankar Mukharjee performed the ground-breaking ceremony for construction of a building amidst a function held at Bir Hospital on Friday.

Memorandum of Understanding for setting the modalities for implementation of the project between the government of Nepal and the government of India was signed on July 30, 2003.

“Once completed, it will be the second trauma centre of its kind amongst the SAARC countries,” the statement added.

The commitment is a part of Bir Hospital's Master Plan for Out Patient Department and related services, so that it could meet the medical and health care needs of people of Nepal in general and Kathmandu valley in particular.

Bir Hospital is among the oldest civil hospitals in Nepal and is centrally located in the heart of the capital city. It was sanctioned as a 300-bed hospital in 1967 and now has 458 beds.

A Project Monitoring Committee consisting of representatives of Government of India and Government of Nepal has been constituted to monitor the implementation of project.

The Trauma Centre will be equipped with all the modern medical equipment of international standards. Implementation of the above project would go a long way in improving emergency services at Bir Hospital. nepalnews.com pb Oct 27 06