KMC offers health services to elderly at home

Kathmandu, Feb. 2: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) on Sunday launched a health programme that provides basic health services at home, targeting senior citizens aged over 70.

According to KMC Spokesperson Nabin Manandhar, the programme is aimed at elderly residents and those who are unable to visit hospitals regularly due to physical limitations.

Speaking to The Rising Nepal, Manandhar, who is also the Chair of Ward No. 17, said that KMC’s health teams will visit senior citizens at their homes every day to provide basic health services.

On the first day of the programme, Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol, along with health officials and several representatives, visited residents’ homes.

“Our health team will visit households with elderly people. During the visit, the team will provide 84 types of medicines free of cost, including regular blood pressure check-ups. If necessary, patients will be referred to hospitals,” Manandhar said.

According to Deepak KC, Chief of the Health Department, the programme includes home visits for health surveys, regular health check-ups, 

disease identification, distribution of necessary medicines, health counselling, and facilitation of other health services.

“Our team, including nurses and local representatives, has started visiting households today. From Monday onwards, at least two health personnel will visit the targeted residents daily,” KC said.

KC further informed The Rising Nepal that at least one nurse and one health volunteer will visit each family with senior citizens to provide basic health services. If required, a doctor will also visit the families.

On Sunday, Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol, who is currently serving as Acting Mayor, visited several households with the health team.

Dangol stated that KMC launched the programme with the slogan, ‘Services of the Metropolitan City when you are sick, basic health care for senior citizens at home.’

“There are many cases where senior citizens are unable to reach hospitals due to age or disability. Therefore, this programme aims    to bring healthcare services directly to the doorsteps of citizens,” Dangol said.

She added that in cases of complex health conditions, KMC will refer patients to concerned hospitals, provide ambulance services, and coordinate necessary treatment procedures. KMC health officials confirmed that a dedicated health team has been mobilised to operate the service.

Dangol said the programme aims to reduce health vulnerability, detect diseases early, and improve the quality of life of senior citizens. She added that KMC plans to expand the programme in the coming days.

KMC had earlier passed health guidelines to provide basic health services to senior citizens across the metropolitan area. 

However, the programme was implemented after former Mayor Balen Shah resigned from his position to contest the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5.

Under the programme, at least one nurse and one health volunteer have been deployed in the health department of each ward office. They will visit households with residents aged over 70 and people with disabilities.