SATV, Kathmandu, July 23: After the Chinese government moved Charikot Hospital to a new building equipped with facilities within an 18-month period, significant changes have occurred. It's not just trhe physical construction, the internal aspects are also strengthened.Treatment in a prefabricated homes didn’t satisfy both doctors and patient even after a long eight years of sustain from an earthquake. Even treatment services were interrupted during heavy rains and storms. However, the situation has now changed. Patients can receive prompt treatment.

Patients coming for treatment are take a breathe of satisfaction with the availability of the committed doctors, clean hospital and well-equipped hospital rooms. 'We have established a token system for patients, improved pre-treatment behavior and made changes across all services, creating a friendly treatment environment. This often  betters half the patient's illness upon entering the hospital,' said Medical Superintendent Dr. Rudramani Bhandari. When admitted to the new hospital, patients experience treatment similar to that in private and foreign hospitals. Every morning at 9:30 AM, an important staff meeting takes place, including doctors. A medical team monitors patients in the emergency wards all 24 hours of the day. 

The new building has 39 rooms. With excellent management of water, electricity, communication, and resources, the hospital has succeeded in providing quality services to patients. Approved by Bagmati Province, treatment for patients is conducted with 50% subsidy. Emergency, General OPD, Orthopedics, Physiotherapy, Laboratory, X-ray, Vaccination, Tuberculosis and HIV treatment rooms are located on the ground floor. General Ward, Maternity, ICU, Pediatric Care, and Phototherapy are on the first floor. The second floor has two ICU rooms, a program hall and a library.

All systems in the hospital are new and technologically advanced. The new equipment has ensured quality in treatments. However, maintenance costs, staffing and budget are still inadequate. Dr. Bhandari laments the challenges of sustaining our continuous campaign to provide quality care with the budget received from the provincial government. 'Two hundred insured patients receive daily General OPD services. Monthly, three hundred and ten receive General OPD and seven hundred receive Emergency services,' he said. 'Patients with more serious conditions like asthma, hypertension, diabetes, and gastrointestinal issues frequently visit.'

Mental health patients receive treatment twice weekly while patients with nose, ear and throat issues receive treatment once a week. Charikot Hospital, located in the central part of the district, serves patients from Sangachowk Gadhi, Indrawati, Balephi, Jugal and Panchpokhari. Fifteen percent of patients requiring ICU and complex disease treatment are referred to other facilities in emergencies.