Health Minister proposes patient referral to police, army hospitals

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Jan. 22: Minister for Health and Population, Pradip Paudel, has proposed a partnership with hospitals operated by security agencies to reduce the patient burden in government hospitals.

In a meeting with the Inspector General of Nepal Police, military officials, and heads of security agencies’ health services on Tuesday, Minister Paudel suggested utilising vacant operation wards in those hospitals to treat patients facing long waits in government hospitals.

“Federal hospitals have introduced additional shifts and extended working hours to manage the patient load. However, during peak times, referrals to security agencies’ hospitals could help alleviate pressure. We seek your support in this initiative,” Minister Paudel stated.

He also called for suggestions on making services, currently unavailable to the general public, accessible at government rates in those hospitals. 

Additionally, he sought input on effectively implementing the health insurance programme in hospitals operated by security agencies.

As part of this effort, Minister Paudel recently formed a task force led by Additional Secretary Dr. Tanka Barakoti. 

The task force aims to draft a plan for managing patient loads in government hospitals and coordinating treatment services with security agencies’ hospitals. The meeting was attended by Inspector General of Police Basanta Kunwar and senior military officials. 

Collaboration with the Army on air ambulance 

Minister Paudel praised the Nepali Army’s emergency rescue efforts for pregnant women, highlighting their success in saving the lives of mothers and infants.

“The Nepali Army’s rescue efforts have been life-saving for many,” he remarked, urging the army to extend their support to air ambulance services for civilians during emergencies, given the lack of such facilities in the country.

“We are open to collaborating with the army on air ambulance services to save lives in critical situations,” he said. “Our goal is to prevent deaths caused by the absence of timely rescue and treatment.”

The minister also commended the army’s role in treating snakebite cases in the Terai region, expressing readiness to work with the army’s expertise in a structured manner.

“You have been treating a significant number of snakebite patients,” he said. “If collaboration can be established in areas where we face manpower shortages, we are ready to make the necessary arrangements.”