KIOCH opens its OPD service at Rs. 100

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, May 24: The newly constructed facility of the Kathmandu Institute of Child Health (KIOCH), established in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, under the leadership of cardiologist Dr. Bhagwan Koirala, was inaugurated and officially handed over on Saturday.

Although the OPD service has been in operation since December last year, the official inauguration and handing-over programme was organized on Saturday. Former Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who attended the building handover programme, expressed happiness that the establishment of the hospital will make it easier for poor and underprivileged children to avail of health services.

Comparing the institution to the ‘Taj Mahal’ of India, Karki said that the construction of this institution would make special contribution to society.

She added that the presence and blessings of Jagadguru Shankaracharya had made the institution stronger and more steadfast.

Speaking at the programme, businessman Min Bahadur Gurung, who is the founder of the hospital, said that the philosophy and teachings of saints and mahatmas inspired him to engage in good deeds of social service.

Gurung, who is also the Chairman and Managing Director of Bhatbhateni Supermarket, constructed the hospital building with a personal investment of Rs. 710 million.

On the occasion, the key to the newly constructed building of the hospital was handed over to Dr. Bhagwan Koirala by Jagadguru Shankaracharya Shri Vidhushekhar Bharti Sannidhanam, who is a widely known spiritual leader from India.

What is KIOCH?

According to the hospital administration, the services and infrastructure are on par with international standards. Additionally, the major attraction of the hospital is the minimal fee structure.

With various specialist doctors, the hospital provides OPD service for only 100 rupees. It is also informed that KIOCH started its initial services with 60 beds, and it will operate 100 beds in the near future.

KIOCH was established as a major pediatric specialty care facility on 41.10 ropanis (5.2 acres) of land leased from the government of Nepal.

The hospital initially provided specialized services in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, oncology, mental health, emergency care for children, critical care, and orthopedics and trauma services.

According to KIOCH, these specialties were selected based on the country’s growing healthcare needs and long-term financial sustainability.

The institution has informed that in the second phase it plans to expand its range of specialties and adjust services and bed capacity in line with actual patient demand.

KIOCH has also emphasized the urgent need to strengthen pediatric critical care services in Nepal, stating that critical care forms the backbone of treatment for children suffering from serious and complex illnesses.

The institution informed that critically ill children require highly monitored and optimized care supported by advanced medical technology and skilled healthcare professionals.

KIOCH informed that it will establish an intensive care unit for both neonates and older children, equipped with modern technology and staffed with trained human resources dedicated to delivering specialized pediatric critical care services.

KIOCH also stated that it initiated this effort to address the gap of shortage of pediatric critical care beds and specialized intensive care facilities that has been considered a current problem in children’s health service.

Businessman Gurung also noted that a group led by Prof. Dr. Koirala had moved forward with a plan to open children’s hospitals under KIOCH in all seven provinces in the future.

A children’s hospital has been operating in Damak, Jhapa, under the KIOCH.

According to data, doctors are unevenly distributed 

in Nepal. While the Kathmandu Valley has one doctor for 850 people, in rural areas of the country the ratio is one doctor for every 15,000 people.