Need for establishing high-quality hospital in Kathmandu

Ushakiran Acharya 

A news article published in a national daily on May 12, 2018, reported that "390 patients went to the Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, but their disease was not traced." As a student, this news struck me and raised my concerns for the patients whose conditions had not been clinically diagnosed. I found myself wondering about the medical procedures used to treat them. Could their lives have been saved? Many questions lingered in my mind at that time. As time passed, some of these questions faded, but more than six years later, I wonder if there have been any significant changes in the country's health scenario. This article aims to draw attention to the effectiveness of public health facilities, the need for standardization, and the lack of healthcare research in the Nepali public health sector.

The right to health is regarded as a fundamental right of citizens and is included in Article 35 of the Constitution of Nepal, which states: (1) Every citizen shall have the right to free basic health services from the State, and no one shall be deprived of emergency health services. (2) Every person shall have the right to receive information about his or her medical treatment. (3) Every citizen shall have equal access to health services. (4) Every citizen shall have the right to access clean drinking water and sanitation.

Since the right to health is a fundamental right, ensuring quality health services is a fundamental duty of the state. The government cannot abstain from its constitutional responsibility. However, the country faces many health challenges, including the lack of standardized health institutions capable of providing quality services.

Nepal is a developing country with its own specific characteristics and challenges. The country faces significant problems of underdevelopment, and the health sector is not immune to issues such as lack of infrastructure, budget shortages, and insufficient research.

For the current fiscal year, the government has allocated Rs. 86.24 billion to the health sector, which is only 4.6% of the total budget and represents a mere 2.5% increase from the Rs. 83.99 billion allocated in the previous fiscal year. Given this inadequate funding, the health challenges faced by the population will likely remain unaddressed.

With a population growth rate of 1.73%, Nepal's population is expected to double every 40 years. Although this growth rate is less severe than the 2.84% rate observed in 1992, it still presents challenges that necessitate effective health plans to meet the population's needs.

The examples provided illustrate the current state of health conditions, the quality of health services, and the plight of vulnerable groups. Inadequate health facilities cannot protect the fundamental right to life of individuals.

Medical and dental facilities are among the most demanding environments to work in and plan for. During renovations or new builds, teams often struggle to balance daily operations. There are different organizations that offer support and innovative ideas to assist with these challenges.

Who Pays for Science?
Most scientific research is funded by government grants, companies engaged in research and development, and non-profit foundations. Ultimately, we all contribute to this funding.

Significance of a Research Center
During the COVID-19 pandemic, various genetic forms of viruses, such as OC43, HKU1, 229E, NL84, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2, spread and contaminated millions of people. Many of these genetic forms are found exclusively in the South Asian region. A pressing question arises: Are there genetic viruses that spread uniquely in the climate of Nepal? Addressing this question requires the establishment of an advanced medical research system in Kathmandu. This system must involve high-quality medical researchers with the skills to assess societal needs, employing critical thinking, data analysis, observation, and decision-making in relation to the local geo-ecosystem and social phenomena.

The Constitution of Nepal declares the nation a welfare state, but it cannot fulfill its objectives without providing quality, timely, and effective health services to its citizens. Therefore, there is a pressing need for a 1,000-bed teaching hospital and research center on the outskirts of Kathmandu to save lives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 12,000 people lost their lives in Nepal, many due to inadequate health facilities and timely research support. The loss of life represents a significant loss for the country. The state must adopt effective measures to protect its citizens.

The growing trend of emigration from Nepal to countries such as those in Europe, North America, and Australia poses a significant challenge. One reason for this trend is the lack of adequate health services. Skilled doctors often find limited opportunities for engagement in medical research, hindering their professional growth.

(Ushakiran Acharya is a student of A2 at Ratobangala School)