Chhatrapati Free Hospital Services Annual Update
25th January 2026, Kathmandu
The Chhatrapati Free Hospital (CFH) successfully concluded its annual general meeting on Saturday in Kathmandu, reinforcing its long-standing reputation as a vital community-focused healthcare institution in Nepal. Under the chairmanship of Dr. Manojman Shrestha, the President of the hospital, the assembly reviewed the financial and operational milestones of the past fiscal year while setting a strategic roadmap for the coming term. The meeting served as a testament to the institution’s ability to maintain high-quality medical standards while prioritizing the needs of the underprivileged and marginalized populations.
Chhatrapati Free Hospital Services
During the session, the general body officially endorsed the proposed budget for the current fiscal year 2081/82. The hospital management presented an estimated income of 210.56 million rupees against a projected expenditure of 209.97 million rupees. These figures highlight a disciplined approach to financial sustainability, ensuring that the hospital remains operational and self-reliant while continuing its extensive social welfare programs.
Financial Performance and Governance Transparency
In the review of the previous fiscal year, the hospital reported a total income of 253.87 million rupees and a total expenditure of 220.31 million rupees. This surplus indicates effective resource management and a healthy financial position that allows for future reinvestment into medical technology and infrastructure. The financial statements, audit reports, and the annual progress report presented by General Secretary Dr. Kritika Shrestha were all passed unanimously.
Transparency remains a core value for Chhatrapati Free Hospital. Unlike private healthcare entities, the institution’s governance model involves regular audits and public disclosures, which have helped build decades of trust with both the local community and international donors. This accountability is crucial for an organization that relies on a mix of service fees, membership contributions, and grants to fund its free healthcare mandates.
Significant Social Impact: 130,000 Patients Served
The highlight of the 2082 annual general meeting was the disclosure of the hospital’s patient service data. In the last fiscal year, Chhatrapati Free Hospital provided medical treatment to a total of 130,023 patients. This high volume of cases underscores the hospital’s role as one of the busiest non-government healthcare facilities in the Kathmandu Valley.
The hospital’s commitment to its “free” mandate was clearly demonstrated by the following statistics:
Subsidized Care: Out of the total patients, 62,450 individuals received either special discounts or completely free medical treatment.
Economic Support: This means nearly 48 percent of the hospital’s total patient base was supported through social welfare schemes, directly targeting those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Medicine Distribution: The hospital also distributed free essential medicines worth 188,750 rupees to 218 patients who were identified as unable to afford their prescriptions.
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By providing these services, the hospital prevents thousands of low-income families from falling into medical debt, a common issue in the Nepalese healthcare landscape.
Future Expansion: Advanced Diagnostics and Specialized Care
Looking toward the future, the Chhatrapati Free Hospital has announced a series of ambitious upgrades aimed at transforming it into a more comprehensive medical center. Management confirmed that preparations are underway to introduce advanced diagnostic services, including CT scan and mammography facilities, in the near future. These additions are vital for the early detection of various internal injuries and breast cancer, services that are often expensive in private diagnostic centers.
The hospital’s expansion plans also include the introduction of specialized departments:
Cancer Care: Providing screening and palliative care for oncology patients.
Cardiovascular Thoracic Treatment: Specialized services for heart and lung-related conditions.
New Infrastructure: The hospital plans to transition all its core services into a newly constructed multi-storey building. This move is expected to significantly enhance the patient bed capacity, improve the efficiency of the outpatient department (OPD), and provide a modern environment for surgical procedures.
The Non-Profit Healthcare Model in Nepal
Healthcare experts attending the meeting noted that the Chhatrapati Free Hospital model is a prime example of how non-profit institutions can bridge the gap between expensive private hospitals and overcrowded government facilities. By combining professional expertise with a social mission, the hospital helps reduce the immense pressure on central government hospitals like Bir Hospital or the TU Teaching Hospital.
The hospital’s history, which dates back to its founding as a small clinic in 1957 with just 10 rupees of seed money, serves as an inspiration for community-led initiatives. Today, its evolution into a 25-bed (and expanding) hospital with 24-hour emergency and pathology services highlights the power of sustained community support and transparent leadership.
Conclusion: A Pillar of Accessible Healthcare
In conclusion, the successful completion of the annual general meeting and the approval of the 2081/82 budget reflect a strong institutional foundation. With over 62,000 patients already benefiting from free or discounted care, the planned expansion into advanced diagnostics and specialized cancer care will further cement Chhatrapati Free Hospital as a leader in inclusive healthcare. As the institution prepares to move into its new facility, its mission remains clear: providing the highest quality of medical care to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.
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