India and Nepal jointly inaugurate operation theatre facility built under HICDP initiative in Kathmandu's Dang
Kathmandu, July 31
The Operation Theatre Building of Rapti Eye Hospital, Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City-4, Dang, Lumbini Province, Nepal, built with the Government of India's financial assistance, was jointly inaugurated on Thursday by Gitanjali Brandon, Counsellor, Embassy of India, Kathmandu, and Tikaram Khadka, Mayor, Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City, Dang.
According to the Embassy of India in Nepal, the construction of the double-storied Operation Theatre building was undertaken as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP), which was implemented through Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City, Dang. It is the 7th HICDP in Dang district of Nepal.
On the occasion, the Mayor of Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City, the Hospital Management, and other stakeholders appreciated the developmental support being provided by the Government of India. They conveyed that the new infrastructure would help strengthen eye care facilities in the region.
Since the inception of the HICDP programme, close to 600 projects have been undertaken by the Government of India, covering all 7 provinces of Nepal. 66 such projects are located in the Lumbini Province, including 7 projects in the Dang District.
In addition, the Government of India has gifted 169 ambulances and 59 school buses to various institutions working in the health and education sectors in the Lumbini Province, including 19 ambulances and 8 school buses in the Dang District. One ambulance was gifted to the Rapti Eye Hospital in January 2022, the Embassy added.
As close neighbours, India and Nepal are engaged in wide-ranging and multi-sectoral cooperation. The implementation of HICDPs reflects the continued support of the Government of India in strengthening the efforts of the Government of Nepal in promoting growth and development, apart from augmenting infrastructure in priority sectors.
The Embassy of India in Nepal highlighted the inauguration in a post on X and recognised New Delhi and Kathmandu as "partners in development.
"#India-#Nepal:Partners in Development The Operation Theatre Building of Rapti Eye Hospital, Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City-4, Dang, Lumbini Province, Nepal was jointly inaugurated today by Ms. Gitanjali Brandon, Counsellor @IndiaInNepal, and Mr. Tikaram Khadka, Mayor, Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City. This High Impact Community Development Project #HICDP has been built with Government of India's financial assistance, and is the 7th #HICDP in Dang district of Nepal," the Embassy stated.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Nice initiative! But I wish the Indian government would also focus on similar healthcare infrastructure in our own rural areas. We have districts in UP and Bihar where people travel 100+ km for basic eye treatment. Not undermining this gesture, just saying both are needed.
600 projects across all 7 provinces of Nepal! That's substantial and genuine partnership. And the ambulances and school buses too. India-Nepal ties are getting stronger - this is how we build trust and goodwill in the neighborhood. Keep it up!
As someone who works in healthcare development, I appreciate the focus on eye hospitals. Cataract surgeries can transform lives overnight - restoring independence and livelihoods. This will genuinely benefit the community in Dang. A meaningful, targeted intervention.
Remember the 2015 earthquake? India was the first responder. And now this. Despite occasional political differences in Kathmandu, the people-to-people connect remains strong. HICDPs are doing quiet but solid work in Nepal's smaller towns. This is the India story that doesn't get enough attention.
India's development assistance has improved a lot - these community-hitting projects are practical and visible. Nepali officials appreciating the support shows it's welcomed locally. Also appreciate the public communication from the embassy - transparency matters in diplomacy.
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