State-of-the-art veterinary hospital under construction in Tanahun

By Amar Raj Naharki,Tanahun, May 31: A state-of-the-art veterinary hospital is under construction on the premises of Tanahun’s Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Centre (VHLSEC).

According to officials, the hospital is being constructed after the proposal of constructing an advanced hospital for animals, which will be a model for the country, was endorsed.

"The Gandaki Province government accepted the proposal and allocated a budget for the project. The work is moving forward in full swing," said Dr. Bal Kumar Shrestha, chief at the Tanahun-based VHLSEC.

Dr. Shrestha informed that the construction of the hospital would put an end to the need for referring every severe case to Kathmandu. "We have a basic-level laboratory and resources currently," he added.

The under-construction hospital is expected to be a centre for research and treatment of mild to severe cases of illness in animals as well as birds.

"A budget of Rs. 100 million has been allocated for the hospital. It is the first-of-its-kind hospital in all 77 districts. It is also in the centre of Tanahun district, Damauli," said Dr. Shrestha.

Health experts argued that with the availability of necessary infrastructure and resources, the hospital could play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of communicable diseases.

The hospital will also provide assistance to the farmers of Kaski, Gorkha and Lamjung districts as many people there are involved in livestock farming.

"The hospital's physical progress stands at 60 per cent. A three-storey building is being constructed for now. The hospital will be gradually upgraded in the future," added Dr. Shrestha.