Civil Service Hospital is a symbol of Nepal-China close ties: PM Prachanda

Kathmandu, April 28: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said there is a long history of friendly and people-to-people cooperative relations between Nepal and China.

"The two countries have had economic, cultural and people-level relations since ancient times. Friendship, mutual respect, understanding and appreciation of each other's reasonable concerns and sensitivities create the foundation of good-neighborly relation," the Prime Minister said.

He also expressed happiness over the further expansion of the bilateral ties between Nepal and China. 

PM Dahal said this while addressing the programme organized here today to hand over the Surgical Building of the Civil Service Hospital to the Government of Nepal. The building was constructed with Chinese assistance. 

He expressed confidence that with the expanded and improved infrastructure and services, the hospital will be capable of providing smooth and quality services to the patients seeking better medical services.

"I would like to thank the government of the People's Republic of China for supporting this special project of this hospital and its upgrading and reconstruction," he added.

Stating that China has consistently extended cooperation in Nepal's development endeavours, the PM said," The assistance we have received has been of additional help for the construction of development infrastructures, for expanding the connectivity, for providing accessible health facilities to Nepalis, for development of human resources and for easing the livelihood."

He stated that the Civil Service Hospital stands also as the symbol of cordial ties between the two countries since decades and commended China's assistance provided for building and expanding health infrastructures and the required health equipment and medical logistics in the health facilities.

PM Dahal thanked the Government of PRC also for providing assistance in construction of the cancer hospital in Bharatpur. He expressed gratitude for the continued support by China in this sector. 

Noting that many Nepali medical professionals, including doctors, are studying in various universities in China, he said they who have returned home after completing their studies in China have been providing outstanding service. 

"We always recall this generosity and the genuine solidarity from our close neighbour and friendly country China," he said, expressing thankfulness for the support like anti-Covid vaccine, essential medical equipment and other emergency health logistics that China provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. We were able to tide over the hardship of the pandemic due to the cooperation provided by China and other development partners. 

Reiterating Nepal's desire of further expanding ties with China as the closest neighbour, good friend and reliable partner, the Prime Minister said Nepal should be able to benefit from China's big leap in social and economic development along with medical science and technology.

He stressed on the need of ensuring Nepalis' access to health, expanding additional services and constructing infrastructures. The PM stated that the government is committed to developing the Civil Service Hospital as a specialist hospital with expanded infrastructures and services.

We plan to construct model hospitals in all seven provinces: Minister Modi

Meanwhile, addressing the same function, Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Aman Lal Modi has said the government shall construct model hospitals like the Civil Service Hospital in all the seven provinces of the country.

He said the government is preparing to manage an additional budget for this purpose in the budget for the next fiscal year.

Minister Modi said his Ministry would take initiatives for providing accessible health services to all the people.

Hospital's executive director Prof Dr Bidhan Nidhi Poudel said the Surgical Building will aid them in providing more health services. The building has 105 general beds, 12 ICU wards, and four surgery rooms. (RSS)