Kathmandu Surgical ICU Inauguration: Bir Hospital’s New Beds Cut Waiting Times

24th April 2025, Kathmandu 

Bir Hospital has opened a new surgical ICU unit with nine beds. This move is expected to ease the bed shortage faced by patients waiting for surgery.

Kathmandu Surgical ICU Inauguration

Health and Population Minister Pradeep Paudel inaugurated the new unit on Wednesday. He said the hospital is seeing more patients needing surgery, which is a good sign. Minister Paudel assured full support from the government.

“Our goal is to improve hospital services. We will continue to add new facilities,” he stated. He urged hospital staff to give the best possible care to patients.

Separate Surgical ICU Improves Capacity

The hospital previously had only one ICU unit with 14 beds. Both pre-surgery and post-surgery patients used it. This caused delays and overcrowding. Now, with the new surgical ICU, post-surgery patients will move to a separate space. This will free up space for other critical patients.

Dr. Dilip Sharma, Director of Bir Hospital, said the ICU was added under Minister Paudel’s plan to improve federal hospitals. He explained that separating post-operative care will help manage patients better.

Government Follows Monthly Expansion Plan

Minister Paudel has asked all federal hospitals to follow a monthly service improvement plan. Health Secretary Dr. Bikash Devkota is already working on it. In the last month of Chaitra, 12 federal hospitals added new services.

Bir Hospital’s new ICU is part of this schedule. The Ministry has planned more expansions in the current month of Baisakh. These improvements will continue in other hospitals as well.

Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, spokesperson for the Ministry, confirmed the plan. “We made the schedule public earlier,” he said. “The service expansion will continue in all federal hospitals throughout this month.”

Focus on Service Quality and Infrastructure

The hospital hopes this step will improve patient care and reduce waiting time. Before, many patients had to wait for ICU beds after surgery. Now, the added beds will help manage those cases.

The Health Ministry’s plan shows a shift towards better hospital management and planning. More structured services will now reach patients on time.

Bir Sets an Example for Other Hospitals

The move at Bir Hospital sets an example for other federal hospitals. By separating surgical ICU care, it has increased capacity and improved service quality. More such improvements are expected soon.

Minister Paudel’s strategy focuses on long-term upgrades. The goal is to modernize public hospitals and make them more patient-friendly.

With better planning and strong leadership, Nepal’s healthcare system is moving forward. More facilities like the new ICU will bring relief to patients and boost trust in public hospitals.

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