KMC arranges 374 beds for helpless at 52 hospitals

KATHMANDU, JUNE 4: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has arranged 374 beds at 52 hospitals for the free treatment of helpless and poor people.

Private hospitals are obliged to allocate a minimum of 10 percent of their beds and provide free treatment to helpless and indigent people as per KMC’s edict.

Public health inspector at the health department of KMC, Dhanendra Shrestha, informed that so far, 70 patients have benefited from the scheme launched last February. Most of those receiving the service are from outside the capital city.

After the violation of legal provisions by private hospitals, the KMC introduced a free treatment work procedure in 2080 and brought it to strict implementation.

The KMC has also managed a system where the availability of beds, treatment services, and other schemes at private hospitals can be checked online. Some of these indigent patients have been discharged after treatment while some are still undergoing treatment.

Shrestha further informed that most of these patients are suffering from ear, nose, and throat (ENT) problems, and kidney disease, while some have respiratory and eye problems.

A hotline, 1180, of KMC, can be dialled to receive information about the treatment or to access the service.

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