GP Koirala Respiratory Centre launches dialysis service

BY AMAR RAJ NAHARKI,Tanahun, May 2: Patients suffering from kidney-related illnesses in Shuklagandaki Municipality and surrounding areas of Tanahun no longer have to travel long distances for dialysis treatment. This relief comes as dialysis services officially began on Thursday at the GP Koirala Respiratory Treatment Centre in Belchautara of Ward No. 5 in Shuklagandaki Municipality. 

Inaugurating the newly constructed dialysis centre, Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel urged local representatives not to recommend wealthy individuals for health benefits intended for the economically disadvantaged. He warned that new regulations are being drafted to recover treatment costs from both the recommender and the beneficiary in case of false recommendations. 

Minister Paudel also said that following a request to the Government of India, the process has already begun for infrastructure development and equipment support for the operation of a 300-bed hospital at the site.

He also announced plans to increase taxes on alcohol and cigarettes to boost the Health Security Fund and to include all citizens under health insurance. Additionally, government employees will contribute 2 per cent of their income to ensure sustainable healthcare funding, add ressing current financial shortfalls in the treatment fund.

Shuklagandaki Municipality and Lions Club have supported dialysis equipment at the centre while the centre itself has arranged and managed human resources. The Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) has supported the establishment of the dialysis centre as part of its ongoing support for various projects in Nepal. The initiative was led by Lions Clubs of Khairenitar, Myagde and Shuklagandaki Sisters. 

According to Dr. Ram Kumar Shrestha, Executive Director of the centre, seven dialysis machines have been installed and 30 patients have already registered for services.

Sujit Hirachan, Coordinator of the Lions Dialysis Centre Project, said that the few facilities will benefit patients from Shuklagandaki, Bhimad, Myagde, Rishing, Ghiring and Harinas of Syangja. 

Previously, dialysis services in the district were available only at Damauli Hospital and Aabukhaireni Hospital. The scarcity of treatment centres caused hardships for kidney patients. To address this, the Lions Club decided to support the hospital with dialysis machines and establish a new centre to eliminate the need for patients to travel to Damauli or Pokhara.

According to Lions Club District Cabinet Secretary Sujit Hirachan, the government has decided to establish a national-level respiratory treatment centre in the name of the late former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, to make it South Asia’s premier respiratory care facility. As part of this plan, 740 ropanis of land in Belchautara has been allocated for the centre.

Additionally, the GP Koirala Respiratory Treatment Centre with technical support from Shahid Ganngalal National Heart Centre organised a free health camp for Free Heart Disease Screenings for heart patients from Shuklagandaki Municipality and nearby localities in Tanahun. Minister Paudel inaugurated the camp on Thursday. 

He emphasised that such local-level health camps help provide essential services to economically disadvantaged people. 

He also committed to arranging screenings for other complex diseases in the future. He also took the opportunity to speak with patients and gather feedback on the services being offered.

According to Dr. Shrestha, 800 people registered for check-ups. The camp is being conducted under the leadership of Dr. Ravi Malla, Executive Director of the Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre.