Kathmandu, Sept 2: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has taken stock about the progress of Kathmandu Institute of Child Health (KIOCH). The KIOCH is a child health institute, a non-profit organization established by senior doctor Dr Bhagawan Koirala.
In a discussion at the Prime Minister’s Office, Singhdurbar, with the Chairman of the organization, Dr. Bhagawan Koirala, and the Vice-Chairman of the National Planning Commission, Prof. Dr. Shivaraj Adhikari, Prime Minister Oli said that the organization has submitted confirmation that if there is will, even if there is no money in the beginning, such works will go ahead.
He expressed his appreciation for the organization’s thinking for an environment where patients can get easy treatment even if they don’t have money.
The organization has already started a children’s hospital in Damak, Jhapa, while the Government of Nepal has provided 41 ropani land on rent for 30 years to operate a children’s hospital at Budhanilkanth-7, Bansbari in Kathmandu.
According to Dr Koirala, the hospital will particularly focus on heart-related treatment of the children. Dr Koirala himself is the renowned heart surgeon.
KIOCH Service Model
KIOCH will begin accomplishing its aim by establishing a multi-specialty childcare hospital (hub) in the nation’s capital, Kathmandu. The effort of attracting high-quality medical professionals to remote areas of Nepal is tried and failed. Instead, we offer a solution that allows for concentration of talent, modern equipment and technologies that offer high-quality care in the hub facility.
First, we will focus on strengthening and improving the quality of child health specialty care, making it available in Nepal. Next, the KIOCH “spokes” or satellite centers will be established in strategic locations, at least one in each province. These spokes will act as gateways that channel patients to the main hum in Kathmandu, with coordinated and phased manner.
This hub-and-spoke approach is expected to increase efficiency and efficacy of care for patients from rural, suburban parts of the country. In addition, the use of telemedicine allows for care to be delivered over the phone or video so that patients can stay closer to their homes and receive more immediate consultation. This lowers the cost burden experienced by patients’ families, such as lost wages, transportation expenses, and room and board in Kathmandu. Patients should only have to travel to the main facility when it is absolutely necessary or planned. #KIOCH
