KATHMANDU, July 29: Minister for Health and Population, Mohan Kumar Basnet, has said the government will no longer cover the medical expenses of VVIP and VIP if they choose to seek medical services that are available at Bir Hospital.

In his address to the 134th anniversary of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (Bir Hospital) on Friday, the Minister said, "Now the hospital avails VIP and VVIP cabins with the mobilization of a 15-member dedicated medical team to send a message to the world that it is capable of providing services both to the VVIP and general public."

Urging the hospital management to not leave any stone unturned to ensure quality services, he said the government is ready to facilitate towards that end.  Minister Basnet also said that since he assumed the charge of Ministry, he could add around Rs 10 billion to the health sector's budget ceiling set by the National Planning Commission. 

Now, the Hospital ensures 700 free beds to the needy ones and its OPD services begin at 8 am.

On the occasion, Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population, Dev Kumari Guragain, said the Bir Hospital remained as a symbol of the entire health sector in the nation and the Ministry was always ready to cooperate for its further enhancement.

NAMS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Bhupendra Basnet said they have a plan to add the number of ICU beds in the near future.

According to Bir Hospital Director Dr Santosh Poudel, the hospital that started its services as a 15-bed facility now has 966 beds. But the budget for the hospital has not increased proportionately.  The government has allocated Rs 730 million to the hospital in the current fiscal year.