KATHMANDU, April 8: Nepal Eye Hospital, located in Tripureshwor, has limited patient waiting time to one hour to improve service delivery. This move has led to an increase in the number of patients seeking eye treatment. The hospital now treats between 600 to 900 patients daily.
Chief Executive Officer Dharmaraj Gosai said the hospital aims to streamline its services and has managed to reduce waiting times significantly. "Our services are supported by skilled ophthalmologists, modern technology, and high-quality equipment. This is why we are witnessing a growing number of patients," he explained.
Established on April 8, 1974 by veteran social workers and eye specialists with public support, the hospital offers specialized services for cataract, retina, oculoplasty, cornea, glaucoma, pediatric eye care, and ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity) through 16 ophthalmologists and 125 staff members.
According to Gosai, in the first eight months of the current fiscal year 2081/82, the hospital provided services to 103,112 outpatients, treated 20,096 emergency cases, performed 5,795 surgeries, examined 40,615 patients in eye camps, and conducted 883 surgeries during outreach programs. The hospital has also been conducting eye screening programs in schools, reaching 9,339 students and providing 497 free eyeglasses.
Eye clinic established at Janasewa Community Hospital
The hospital is actively involved in training various healthcare professionals. It offers MD and optometry programs under the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) and assistant ophthalmic personnel training under the CTEVT. The hospital plans to enhance scholarship-based specialized training programs. Currently, 12 MD, 24 optometry, and 37 ophthalmic assistant students are enrolled.
CEO Gosai stated that the hospital expects a further increase in patient numbers and has already started preparing. "We aim to maintain high-quality services while ensuring accessibility for underprivileged and marginalized groups," he said.
The hospital has adopted a policy of offering services at minimal or no cost and continues upgrading diagnostic equipment annually. Since last year, it has been providing a 50 percent subsidy for cataract surgery to senior citizens over 80 years of age.
Over the past four years, the hospital has seen a 50 percent increase in patient numbers, serving 162,976 patients last year alone. The number of surgeries has also doubled, with the hospital performing 9,093 surgeries last year. It now aims to reach 15,000 surgeries annually within the next four years. Since the last two years, the hospital has screened 945 premature and low-weight infants for ROP.
Under its outreach program, the hospital conducted 845 surgeries in camps last year and aims to perform around 1,500 this year. According to a hospital press release, last year it conducted eye checkups in 31 schools, organized 30 screening camps, and 11 surgical camps, serving 40,615 people and distributing 2,884 free eyeglasses. This year, the hospital plans to screen 50,000 individuals and provide 3,500 free eyeglasses.
The hospital also manages eye care centers in Simara (Bara) and Bhachchek (Gorkha), and operates vision centers in Sundarijal and Khokana to strengthen its referral system within the Valley.
It has adopted the government's public-private partnership model to deliver eye care services. Gosai said the hospital is working to integrate the national health insurance scheme for the benefit of patients. Aiming to accommodate the growing number of patients in the next four years, the hospital is focused on building additional infrastructure and optimizing current space.
Currently, the hospital runs six operating theaters and has committed to maintaining the quality of its academic programs. The press release added, "To expand access to eye care, the hospital plans to conduct outreach camps in remote areas, raise awareness on eye health, and collaborate with local governments and international organizations."
