Mayor’s ordeal leads push for burn hospital in Pokhara

By Phadindra Adhikari,Pokhara, Dec. 14: Pokhara Metropolitan City has begun a feasibility study for the construction of a 100-bed Burn and Specialised Hospital on 28 ropanis of land in Pokhara-27.

The 100-bed hospital is to be built on the empty land belonging to the former Lekhnath Municipality office.

A high-level expert team from the Korean Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Pokhara Metropolitan City’s long-standing development partner, has arrived in Pokhara for the study.

Pokhara Metropolitan City mayor Dhan Raj Acharya stated that a 17-member team from various areas, including KOICA Country Director Muhon Kong, is studying for the construction of the hospital building. “We are building a model hospital for burn treatment in Nepal. The feasibility study has begun, as the location has been confirmed. Similarly, the cost is estimated to be around Rs. 2 billion,” said Mayor Acharya.

Meanwhile, a disaster management centre is being constructed with the assistance of ADB on five ropanis of land near the office of the former Lekhnath Municipality, where is now the office of Pokhara Metropolitan City Ward No. 27. Preparations are underway to run a specialised service along with the burn hospital in the remaining 28 ropanis of land.

Local stakeholders say that other departments are also required for the treatment of burn cases at the hospital. Similarly, a huge manpower and equipment are essential, they say.

In the meantime, Pokhara Metropolitan City called for suggestions from locals and experts for the construction of a modern and convenient hospital.

Last year, during the announcement event for Pokhara Visit Year held at the Pokhara Metropolitan Exhibition Centre, a hydrogen balloon unexpectedly caught fire, injuring Pokhara Mayor Acharya and former Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel.

After the accident, they were taken to Kathmandu by helicopter for treatment. Returning from the treatment, Mayor Acharya announced to build a burn hospital in Pokhara. Following that commitment, the construction of the hospital has now begun.

Well-equipped burn unit at regional hospital

The Western Regional Hospital, the largest hospital in Gandaki Province, still has a well-equipped burn unit in operation. According to hospital officials, three patients were receiving treatment on Thursday in the unit established 30 years ago. Sushil Aryal, Information Officer at the Pokhara Institute of Health Sciences, said that if some manpower was added and the capacity of the seven-bed unit was expanded, there would be no problem in treating burns immediately.

Dr. Pyush Giri, a plastic surgeon at the burn unit, said that at least 150 patients receive treatment facility at the unit every day. 

According to Dr. Giri, minor burns are referred to the internal medicine department for treatment, while those with severe burns are admitted for treatment.

“We have state-of-the-art equipment and all the necessary manpower for burn treatment. There is no shortage of beds, except in emergencies,” said Dr. Giri.

It seems that the service will be more convenient if the capacity of the unit is expanded and expert manpower is supplied permanently.