Kathmandu: The government of China has, through the Lifeline Express Hong Kong Foundation, handed over advanced equipment for ophthalmic care worth about Rs 20 million to the Civil Service Hospital. A team led by former Vice Minister of the National Health Commission of China, Cui Li handed over the equipment at a program organized at the Hospital premises in Minbhawan, Kathmandu. The equipment handed over include the ophthalmic microscopes, computers, scan machines and cameras.
Meanwhile, China-Nepal Lifeline Express Center of Cooperation for the Prevention of Blindness has been founded in Civil Service Hospital, according to Chinese ambassador to Nepal. “It is equipped with world-leading ophthalmic devices worthy crores of rupees,” ambassador Chen Song wrote on X. “It marks another milestone in China-Nepal health cooperation in the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations. Special thanks to the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, International Health Exchange and Cooperation Center NHC PRC, and Lifeline Express Hong Kong Foundation for their outstanding contributions.”
Speaking on the occasion, National Assembly Vice Chairperson Bimala Ghimire said Nepal and China have multi-dimensional, friendly and close relations since ancient times. Stating that Nepal attaches high importance to its relations with China, she thanked China for its significant support in promoting investment in Nepal as well as road infrastructure and power development. Vice President of the Good Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and former Vice-Minister Chui said Nepal-China relations linked by rivers and mountains are warm, friendly and multi-dimensional not only at the government level but also at the people’s level. She made it clear that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was active in further strengthening and deepening the relations between the neighboring countries with the objective of supporting the policies and programs taken by the Chinese government.
Chairperson of the Foundation, Tam You Chung, pledged to extend all possible support to expand the capacity of the Civil Service Hospital operating in Nepal with the support of the Chinese government. Executive Director of Civil Servant Hospital Prof Dr Bidhannidhi Poudel said that the hospital plans to provide specialized services prioritizing ophthalmological treatment with the eye treatment equipment worth Rs 20 million that the eye department of the hospital has received through the Lifeline Express Organization of the Chinese government. In the first phase, equipment will be made available for the treatment of eye diseases, followed by training of doctors. Executive Director Poudel said an agreement has been signed in connection with the doctors of both the countries providing ophthalmic treatment services including surgery after the training. Executive Director Poudel and Chairman of Lifeline Express Hong Kong Foundation Tam You Chung signed the agreement.
The Civil Service Hospital was constructed 16 years ago with Chinese support. The Chinese government plans to develop this hospital as one of Asia’s best health facilities. On an average, 1,000 patients are receiving medical treatment at the 300-bed Civil Service Hospital every day, said Executive Director Poudel. He said that there is a huge influx of patients in the hospital due to the quality of health services it has been providing. The Hospital claims that it is providing quality services with lower fees compared to other hospitals in the private sector.
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