If services at Bir Hospital can be improved, the entire health sector will improve: Health Minister Paudel

Kathmandu – Health and Population Minister Pradip Paudel has stated that improving Bir Hospital is essential for enhancing the overall health care system. He made these remarks at the hospital’s 136th anniversary celebration, emphasizing the government’s commitment to support comprehensive reforms.

During the ceremony, Minister Paudel said:

“The state will make every effort to provide the necessary equipment and infrastructure. The picture of Nepal’s entire health sector can be understood by looking at Bir Hospital. Only when it is improved can the health sector truly improve.”

He further noted that while progress has been made in the health sector, full transformation is yet to be achieved, underlining the urgency for increased investment and collective seriousness.

Minister Paudel disclosed that by mid-September (Bhadra month), efforts will be made to adjust health insurance payments to all hospitals in a fair and systematic way.

Meanwhile, Bir Hospital Director Prof. Dr. Dilip Sharma presented the hospital’s 2025 fiscal year report, revealing:

• 647,215 outpatient visits (both new and follow-ups),

• 35,141 emergency cases,

• 21,224 inpatient admissions, and

• 26,446 surgeries performed.
  On average, more than 2,500 people receive services at the hospital every day.

The hospital currently operates 72 intensive care unit (ICU) beds and 38 high-dependency units (HDUs). Dr. Sharma underlined that Bir Hospital is a national asset and called for unified efforts to elevate it as a central referral and research institute.

Challenges remain, including:

• budgetary shortfalls in critical areas,

• delayed disbursement from the Health Insurance Board,

• high staff turnover, and

• a shortage of authorized technical positions.

Originally established on 12 Sawan 1946 BS (1889 AD) with just 15 beds, the hospital now has an approved capacity of 960 beds, across 22 clinical departments and three clinical units—ophthalmology, gynecology, and mental health—offering basic to highly specialized care.