Operation launched to search, destroy Maoist shelters

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec. 23: The security forces have started ‘search and destroy’ operation from Saturday to trace and destroy the shelters, hideouts and training centres of the Maoist terrorists located in the hills and jungles across the country.

The Defence Ministry in its press release issued today said the security forces in course of their operation Saturday traced and destroyed three caves in Sailungeshwor Village Development Committee of Dolakha district that the Maoists terrorists had been using for hiding and training.

Under the cordon and search operation, the security forces arrested 32 suspects from various parts of the country on Saturday: 12 from Dhanusa’s Godar, nine from Banke’s Baijapur, six from Sindhupalchok’s Tinghare, two from Kaski’s Budhibajar, and one each from Rolpa’s Dahaban, Salyan’s Khalanga and Rolpa’s Jhenam.

They also seized 16 guns and explosives and recovered other equipment looted by the terrorists from the police from Darchula’s Khar VDC. They also seized parts of guns and recovered police dresses that were looted from Rolpa’s Jhenam.

The security forces defused three banner bombs placed at Lalitpur’s Iti Tole.

Meanwhile, a group of armed terrorists have seriously injured Tulsi Rai, chairman of the Chapagaun VDC of Nuwakot Saturday night. Police said the terrorists took Rai about 500 metres away from his home and beat him up, leaving him bruised and with broken legs. Rai has been admitted to Trishuli Hospital for treatment. After the incident local people gathered and chased the terrorists away.

The Defence Ministry said today that three soldiers died in the line of duty when a vehicle of the joint security forces returning after their operation in different parts of Lamjung district fell into a trap laid down by Maoist terrorists at Salang Khola near Besisahar. One soldier died on the spot while two others, who were heli-lifted to Kathmandu, died at the Birendra Military Hospital. Other injured personnel are undergoing treatment at the same hospital.

One Maoist terrorist, who put up the ambush, also died in the encounter with the armymen. Further damage caused to Maoists is being assessed, said the Defence Ministry statement.

In other developments, tired of the terrorist activities and excesses, people have started uniting to fight back with the Maoists. Residents of Agrigaon of Surkhet district have come out in the thousands and vowed to retaliate against the Maoists after the terrorists kidnapped their VDC chairman.

All-party meet
Deuba seeks parties' support to consolidate democracy

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec. 23: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has requested all the political parties to extend their full cooperation to the government in its efforts to safeguard the rights of the people and consolidate multiparty democracy at a time when terrorists were trying to destabilise and ruin the country.

Prime Minister Deuba said this while addressing an all-party meeting convened at his office at Singha Durbar this morning.

During the meeting, leaders of various political parties stressed the need for the government to act responsibly so that the objectives of the emergency are met and the existing anomalies and aberrations checked. The opposition party leaders also asked the government to introduce reform programmes based on consensus among all the parties.

At the end of the meeting, Minister for Water Resources Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar apprised the opposition parties of the work the government has undertaken after the declaration of the state of emergency.

General Secretary Sushil Koirala and spokesman Arjun Narsingh K.C. of Nepali Congress and MPs Bharat Mohan Adhikary and Ishwor Pokharel of the main opposition CPN-UML also spoke at the meeting.

Representatives from Rastriya Prajatantra Party, CPN (ML), Nepal Sadbhavana Party, United Peoples’ Front, National People’s Front, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party had also expressed their views.

During the meeting, leaders reminded the government to implement the recommendations submitted by the 13 opposition parties some weeks ago.

Leader of the CPN-UML Ishwor Pokharel told The Rising Nepal that the government should seriously consider and implement the recommendations. "Otherwise, the government will find itself in a difficult situation."

Pokharel said that the state of emergency should not affect political parties that believe in democracy and abide by the present Constitution.

Demand for Ayurvedic medicines on rise

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec. 23: If Nepal utilises its abundant potential in Ayurvedic science a huge amount of foreign currency could be earned by selling Ayurvedic medicines abroad. Moreover, it would also help replace the huge amount of allopathic medicines the country imports each year.

According to a survey conducted by Industrial Information Centre (ICC) Nepal imports allopathic medicines of seven billion rupees each year. Out of this, up to 25 per cent is spent on import of Aurvedic medicines.

What looks like a good sign is that people’s faith towards the traditional medicine is swelling each year.

The people practicing Ayurvedic science see plenty of opportunities to develop this faculty as one of the major sources for earning foreign currency. Because of its geography, Nepal can be a prime hub for unique Aurvedic treatment, if the methods of treatment are modernised.

Ram Narayan Shah, Managing Director at Singhadurbar Vaidya Khana, says that the demand for Ayurvedic medicines is on the rise due to low risks or absence of any side effects and their easy availability.

According to him, the production of herbal medicines is not enough to fulfill the internal demand. However, the statistics is not available even at the Vaidya Khana. The products of Dabur Company and other Indian Auyrvedic medicine companies still occupy a huge segment of the Nepalese Auyrvedic market. Though the traditional medical practitioner or Vaidya and Ayurvedic doctor or Kaviraj prescribe herbal medicines produced in the country, they have no options other than selling medicines imported from across the border like – Chyavanpras, tooth powder, Vaidya Liver Tonic etc.

According to Sneha Sayami, director of ICC, many herbal medicines – like Chiraito, Amala, Pachaunle, Jatamashi, Harro and Pakhanbet are exported to India and the finished products are imported into Nepal. If Nepal can do the processing, it can give a boost to the country’s economy, says Sayami.

Ram Narayan Shah also admits that there is a need of research and processing of Auyrvedic medicines. He says, " We have introduced some modern methods in refining and processing. And we are in the process of modernizing it."

The Singhadurbar Vaidya Khana is the biggest Aurvedic manufacturer in the country that produces medicines amounting to roughly 12.5 million rupees each year.

In the Ninth five-year Plan (2054-59), the government has accorded due priority to promote Ayurved in the country. However, the achievement, according to the people in this sector, is quite insignificant. The government in the upcoming Tenth Five-Year Plan (2059 – 63) is in the process of giving an extra emphasis on the development of Ayurved.

Dr. Krishna Raj Parajuli, Director General at Naradevi Ayurvedic Hospital admits that the faith of people towards Ayurvedic medicines is on the rise. "But we should know how important it is." Besides, we are introducing modern technology like X-ray and Pathology in our treatment, he says.

Dr. Parajuli thinks that awareness should be generated about Ayurvedic medicines and higher education in this sector is essential.

A regional summit at SAARC level on Auyrved was held in the capital in 1991 (2047 BS). The summit had prepared a framework to prepare a common agenda for development of Ayurved Science. However, nothing has been done so far.

Madhu Bajracharya of Piyushbarshi Aushadhalaya, speaking in a similar vein, says given the geographical situation of the country, Nepal can do a lot in Ayurved. "But we need to accord due emphasis on it."

What’s more, an independent survey has shown that the demand of Nepalese Auyrvedic medicines in Europe and USA is also on the rise.

NC meet
'Call for broader alliance not directed at govt change'

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec. 23: The call for a broader democratic alliance is not directed at changing the government, Nepali Congress Spokesman Arjun Narsingh KC told the press at the party’s central office here today. "It is an idea inherent in the 14-point agenda floated by Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala when he was the Prime Minister," he said.

The party had organised a meeting of its central committee members, different department heads, members and member secretaries. "Today’s meet basically stressed unity," the party spokesman said.

"The idea of alliance is an institutional decision of the party to evolve a common mechanism involving different political parties respecting the Constitutional Monarchy and multi-party democracy and fight against the ultra-right and ultra-left forces in the country," KC added.

The NC spokesman said that the party had given mandate to party President Koirala to forward the concept among the parties and see if a minimum level of understanding and agreement could be worked out for the purpose.

Congress President Koirala, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, General Secretary Shusil Koirala and party’s central member Shailaja Acharya had expressed their views at the meeting, according to KC.

"Prime Minister Deuba said that the State of Emergency would be more result-oriented if the party and the government moved ahead with unity to address the problems of the country," according to KC.

"Stating that the government move won national and international support, Premier Deuba said that the law and order situation of the country was remarkably better now."

The Premier is quoted as saying that the government and the party are working together to tackle different issues. He added, "The government is aware that innocent people should not suffer in the period of emergency."

At the meeting, president Koirala instructed the members and heads of party departments and organisations to make the present situation result-oriented and use it to serve the larger interest of the people, according to KC.

Koirala also instructed the government to introduce social and economic packages to provide relief to people and launch a vigorous anti-corruption drive. "The government should take caution so that the innocent people would not be killed in the Emergency period."

"The Congress president said that the State of Emergency was declared by the government under a painful compulsion."

General Secretary Sushil Koirala is reported to have said that the State of Emergency should not be extended beyond three months.

He said that the government should take the party’s instruction seriously.

Meanwhile, the General Secretary also submitted a report to the Prime Minister. The report contains information about the current situation across the country.

NC central committee member Shailaja Acharya said that the concept of broader democratic alliance was forwarded to save democracy from any possible political accident.

Talking to reporters, she said that there was no need of the State of Emergency in the country. "The army could be mobilised by introducing the ordinance."

UNDP, WWF bury differences on conservation projects

BY NAVIN SINGH KHADKA

Kathmandu, Dec. 23: After crossing swords for quite some time on combining two ditto conservation projects they developed separately, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have finally joined hands.

The two international agencies last week signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work as partners in the two projects now amalgamated under one banner -- Conservation and Sustainable Use of Globally Significant Biodiversity in Priority Landscape Complexes in Nepal's Western Tarai and Eastern Himalayas.

Both organisations agreed to discuss and clarify roles and responsibilities to ensure complementary synergies and to avoid duplication of efforts, officials said.

"It is a positive move that we could come out together for the project," said Ukesh Raj Bhuju, Programme Director of WWF Nepal Programme. "There is no misunderstanding now."

UNDP officials could not be contacted for immediate comments.

Before forging the alliance, UNDP called it Biodiversity Landscape Conservation Project (BLCP) and the WWF had named it Terai Arc Landscape (TAL). Both concepts share common goal -- conservation together with development. And they even have the same sites -- Western Tarai and Eastern Himalayas.

Even with so much of similarities, the two, however, had failed to cobble a coalition. Reason: War of nerves, it appeared. While WWF claimed its contribution towards conservation in the country was not recognised in the UNDP's landscape project concept, the development wing of the World Body counter-claimed that the Fund did not share its documents when asked.

"All we had wanted from them was the due appreciation for the works we, together with the government and the local community, had done in the area of conservation at places like Kanchanjunga," a senior official with WWF had earlier said. "But, that was nowhere to be seen in their project concept."

UNDP officials had earlier maintained that WWF was never cooperative when it was asked to share their project concept. "They simply did not respond to our request."

The two had also differed on how to raise funds for the project. While UNDP believed on first accumulating the necessary fund, WWF, citing its slogan "Conservation can't wait" stressed its idea of beginning the project with whatever money it had.

As the two sides were trading charges, WWF launched its TAL Project in Dhangadi and Bardiya earlier this year allocating around US$ one million. While UNDP is still preparing its BLCP document, based on landscape conservation approach.

The UN agency has applied for between US$ six and seven million fund from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and will also bring in the Dutch Development Agency (SNV) for its (UNDP's) part of the project billed at around US$ 15 million.

After the two sides stood their grounds for sometime, last week they finally resolved their differences, thanks to officialdom-mediation, according to WWF officials. "The initiatives taken by the Forest Ministry to bring us together is well appreciated," said Bhuju.

"We ensured that there should not be any duplication of work when the two organisations (UNDP and WWF) start working," said Damodar Prasad Parajuli, who heads the Foreign Aid Division at the Forest Ministry. "The two organisations took the idea of going together quite positively."

Now that the two agencies are hand in hand, they will also combine their money for the project. "The details on the shares of investment are yet to be worked out," said Bhuju, whose office has already set aside US$ five million for the project's initial five years.

Sindhuli farmers face problems for marketing junar

Kamalamai (Sindhuli), Dec. 23 (RSS): The farmers of Sindhuli district have been facing problems marketing the junar (citrus fruit) produced by them because of transport facilities.

The junar produced in Sindhuli district are sweet and juicy because of the suitable climate here, according to technician of the Agriculture Development Office Dhalak Bahadur Thapa.

Junar is cultivated at altitude of 900 to 1,300 metres above sea level.

Junar is being cultivated on 1,230 hectares of land in one municipality 45 village development committees of Sindhuli district. The farmers who have cultivated junar on 598 hectares of land have started receiving income from their farms.

Sindhuli district produces 18,000 metric tons of junar every year. The junar produced by the farmers are carried to Sindhulimadi bazaar.

The junar of Sindhuli district are transported to the market of Kathmandu and other cities also.

The businessmen purchase junar in the local market at Rs 150 for 100 pieces.

The local residents regret that they have to purchase to junar produced in Sindhuli from other places because of the lack of cold storage facility in the district.

No doubt about SAARC meet: Mahat

Kathmandu, Dec. 23 (RSS): Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat has said there is no doubt at all about the forthcoming SAARC Summit taking place.

Dr Mahat, who was speaking at a face-to-face programme organised by the Reporters Club Nepal here today, noted that when he handed over the invitation to the Indian Prime Minister in the context of growing doubts about the SAARC Summit due to recent tensions between India and Pakistan, the Prime Minister had expressed his willingness to come to Nepal.

Stating that the SAARC Summit being held after a hiatus of three years has a special significance, he observed that the summit should be used as a means to diffuse regional tensions and the agenda and drafts of the summit declaration have already been taken to all the SAARC nations.

All the SAARC nations are fully convinced that Nepal is capable of holding the summit from the security point of view, he added.

Ex-foreign minister Shailendra Kumar Upadhyay expressed confidence that in the coming days, SAARC will gain momentum, while chief of the CPN (UML) Foreign Affairs Department Jhala Nath Khanal said regional cooperation has become essential in order to join in the process of domestic as well as world development.

RPP general secretary Pashupati Shamsher JB Rana spoke of the need to look into why SAARC has failed to achieve the expected developmental goals in the social and economic fields, and to improve things by taking stock of the situation.

CPN (ML) leader Hiranya Lal Shrestha observed that SAARC is necessary for ensuring the common interests of the region.

Former SAARC secretary general Yadav Kant Silwal said it is a great thing that the SAARC Summit is going to be held in such a situation and spoke of the need to start free trade and poverty alleviation within a certain time frame.

'Conserve archaeological heritage, Buddhist pagodas'

Kathmandu, Dec. 23 (RSS): The bodies concerned ought to pay attention to conducting awareness programmes for the conservation and promotion of archaeological heritage and Buddhist pagodas in Kathmandu Valley.

Construction of houses near Boudha Stupa and other Buddhist Pagodas in that complex in violation of building norms is threatening traditional art and culture, it was pointed out in the course of a tour of Boudha for journalists organised by the Nepal Heritage Society today.

Boudha is one of the monuments included in the World Heritage List.

The jouralists were informed about the historical, religious and touristic importance of the heritage site.

His Majesty's Government has declared the Boudha stupa area, the biggest Buddhist stupa in the country with the largest periphery, a protected monument zone under the Ancient Monuments Conservation Act.

It appears that the stupa, constructed towards the end of the Fifth Century A.D. by King Manadev, has been renovated at different intervals and l6 more stupas have now been constructed in the area.

Among the new structures, the Sechen Tenzing Dhanirjaling (white) monastery constructed by the government of Bhutan has accommodation and meditation facilities for Buddhist monks.

The Department of Archaeology has not clarified matters concerning the parameters of the World Heritage Site or building standards, says Dharma Raj Shakya, a local resident who is also a member of Nepal Heritage Society. He cited the example of the height of buildings to be constructed near the heritage site.

On the occasion, president of Nepal Heritage Society Ukesh Raj Bhuju, Dr. Gyanendra Tuladhar and Kedar Shakya shed light on the importance of the Boudha stupa.

SAARC trade promotion: Need of hour

Kathmandu, Dec. 23 (RSS): Nepal's foreign trade with India constitutes about 98 per cent of its overall trade with the SAARC member countries.

According to Nepal Rastra Bank and the Trade Promotion Centre, of the total Rs 64.6 billion transactions with the SAARC member countries, bilateral trade between Nepal and India touched the figure of Rs 63.6 billion in the fiscal year 2056/57. India's export to Nepal amounts to 99.2 per cent while imports from Nepal amounts to 97.9 per cent.

Nepal exported Vanaspati Ghee worth Rs 2.71 billion, toothpaste worth Rs 2.26 billion, jute goods worth Rs 1.10 billion and bathing soap worth Rs 1.08 billion to India during the corresponding period.

Likewise, Nepal exported lintels, polyester thread, Hajmola, cardamon, molasses, animal feed, ginger, chawanprash, noodles, catechew, etc, to India.

Nepal imported textiles worth Rs 2.71 billion, vehicles and vehicle parts, machinery and its parts, thread, cement, etc worth more than Rs 1 billion from India during the fiscal year 2056/57.

Even though trade and transit treaty was signed between Nepal and Bangladesh in April 2, 1976, trade between the two countries has not developed to the desired extent.

Bangladesh with a population of about 12.20 crores has been exporting goods worth about U.S. dollars 5.5 billion to various countries in the world and importing goods worth more than U.S. dollars 8 billion from them.

Nepal exported 24 items worth Rs 130 million to Bangladesh and imported 63 items worth about 560 million from Bangladesh, according to the Trade Promotion Centre.

Under an agreement reached between two countries at the ministerial level meeting in Janaury, 2001, primary products of Nepali origin have been granted tariff free access to Bangladesh.

In addition, an immigration office will be set up at the Banglabandha transit point, financial transactions carried out through banking system and the operation of broad gauge rail allowed up to Birgunj via India. All these positive developments have rekindled a hope of ray for the brighter future of bilateral trade between the two countries.

Bhutan, the Kingdom of Thunder Dragon with a total population of about 800,000 people, exports goods worth about 110 million U.S. dollars to Nepal and imports goods worth about 200 million U.S. dollars from Nepal every year.

Out of its total electricity export, electricity to the value of 40 million U.S. dollars is exported to India alone.

Despite the fact that trading and commercial activities being carried without any formal agreement between Bhutan and Nepal, some 20 products worth about Rs. 40 million were exported to Bhutan in the fiscal year (FY) 2056/57.

The import from Bhutan includes coal worth Rs. 39.9 million and gypsum worth Rs. 53,000 whereas its export to Bhutan includes carpet, noodles, zinc pipes, soaps, check valves, cotton, woollen yarn and x-ray accessories.

Out of Nepal's foreign trade with all the SAARC member countries, export trade with Bhutan constitutes only 0.2 per cent and import only 0.1 per cent.

Even thought the bilateral trade between Bhutan and Nepal has not been flourished significantly, Nepal's export to Bhutan is almost doubling every year.

Pakistan and Nepal signed an agreement on bilateral trade in July, 28, 1992. Pakistan with a total population of 131.6 million exports products to the tune of 8.20 million U.S. dollar and imports goods to the tune of 9.60 million U.S. dollar from various countries.

The Nepal's total foreign trade with Pakistan constitutes below 0.1 per cent of the overall trade with the SAARC member countries.

In the FY 2056/57, Nepal's exports to Pakistan touched the figure of Rs 5.9 million in lieu of its import from Pakistan that totalled Rs. 240.9 million.

Some 16 items had been exported to Pakistan in lieu of 83 items Nepal had imported from Pakistan during the corresponding period.

Nepal had exported cornea amounting to Rs 2.32 million and seeds of radish amounting to Rs. 1.24 million during this period.

Apart from the two major items, Nepal also exported seedlings, woolen shawls, seed machine, raw leather and Nepali paper to Pakistan.

Nepal had imported rice amounting to Rs. 100 million, cotton fabric amounting Rs. 52 million, cardamom amounting to Rs. 20 million and cumin seeds amounting to Rs 17.9 million.

Though Nepal and Sri Lanka had entered into a trade accord in April 3, 1979, the trade between the two countries have not been increased to the desirable extent.

Sri Lanka which has a total population of 20 million exports products to the value of 4.60 million U.S. dollars throughout the world and imports goods worth about 6.20 million U.S. dollars from various countries every year.

In the fiscal year 2056/57, Nepal's exports to Sri Lanka was about Rs. 206,000 whereas Nepal imports from Sri Lanka touched the figure of Rs. 52.2 million.

The foreign trade with Sri Lanka constitutes below 0.1 per cent.

Export items to Sri Lanka include homeopathy medicines, a single item accounts for 95 per cent of the total export including paper boards, books and ledgers and musical instruments whereas import items from Sri Lanka include coconut, tyres, tubes, cotton fabric, corks and data machine.

So far, there has been no formal trade agreement between Nepal and Maldives. the total exports of Maldives touches the figure of about 8.8 million U.S. dollars and its total import about 37.2 million U.S. dollars in the recent years.

Nepal's exports to Maldives is confined only to the value of Rs 225,000 and its import amounts to Rs 69,000 now-a-days.

Nepal had imported make up kits worth Rs. 224,500 and bags worth Rs. 500 whereas Nepal exported TV sets worth Rs. 35,000 and video decks and cassettes worth Rs. 34,000 to Maldives during the fiscal year 2056/57.

Efforts for transforming SAPTA (SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement) into SAFTA (SAARC Free Trade Area), establishing SAARC chamber of commerce and finance networks between the central banks of the SAARC member countries are some of the positive steps which can help increase the regional trade among the SAARC member countries.

It may be recalled that Nepal had pursued trade diversification with various countries of the world following its accession to the united nations in 2012 B.S.

'Lift state of emergency as soon as possible'

Kathmandu, Dec. 23 (RSS): Various intellectuals and politicians have stressed the need for the government to lift the State of Emergency as soon as possible for the promotion of multi-party democracy.

They were speaking at an interaction programme on "State of Emergency: Civil Rights and Constitution" organised by Nepal intellectuals Council here today.

CPN-UML standing committee member Bharat Mohan Adhikari underlined the need for the government to implement effective programmes for social, economic and political reform so as to provide people an easy way out of the state of emergency.

Stating that as civil administration is still functional as envisaged by the constitution despite the state of emergency, HD said the activities of the government, which is responsible to the people, should make the people feel the existence of the civil administration. this, however, is not happening, people's fundamental rights including their right to information have been curtailed and civil society, political parties and the media are finding it difficult to function independently, he added.

Notwithstanding the state of emergency, corruption and irregularities are spiralling thereby leaving the economy in a poor shape, he said adding, as we are now at a serious turn in our history failure to act wisely and on time might result in a big mishap.

If we are to avert any such mishap it is imperative that all political parties move ahead hand in hand on the basis of consensus on minimum points of agreement regarding the country's development, he observed.

We should be ready to even amend the constitution if this will help control corruption, empower the local authorities, ensure social justice for the downtrodden, and ultimately, do away with the aberrations and anomalies surfacing after the restoration of democracy, Adhikari opined.

Nepal Bar Association president Sindhu Nath Pyakurel said now that the government has declared a state of emergency in exercise of powers under the constitution, it becomes the duty of all opposition parties to keep a close eye on every activity of the government and provide the government the right direction if the later seems to be deviating.

Civil administration is still functional despite the State of Emergency, habeas corpus, unlike other fundamental rights, has not been suspended and the courts of law remain active even during the emergency, he said.

Editor of "Chhalphal" weekly Gopal Thapaliya and various other speakers stressed the need for the government to see to it that it does not misuse the unlimited powers it has gained under the State of Emergency and to guarantee security and human rights.

President of Nepal Intellectuals Council Dr Mangal Siddhi Manandhar presided.

Kidney transplant at low cost in Nepal soon

Kathmandu, Dec. 23 (RSS): Kidney patients and doctors have now kept their fingers crossed with His Majesty's Government beginning the process of kidney transplant.

Speaking at a function organised by health care, the bi-monthly health magazine here today, chief of the national kidney treatment center Dr Rishi Kumar Kafle said once such services are started in Nepal, kidney transplant can be performed at Rs 200,000 instead of Rs 500,000 to 800,0000 in India.

Stating that kidney transplant is a must for those whose both kidneys are not functioning, Dr Kafle said one has to pay Rs 5000 a week for hemodialysis.

The Indian, Bangladesh and Sri Lankan governments provide remarkable subsidies for kidney transplants for their citizens since it is highly expensive, he said, adding that kidney treatment in advanced countries is not a big financial problem since the state itself bears health expenses for its citizens there.

Nephrologist Dr Rajendra Kumar Agrawal spoke of the need for setting up a separate kidney center and provide hemodialysis services at concessional rates.

Various other speakers including vice chairman of the health care foundation Nepal Bishnu Subedi also spoke at the function.

Hemodialysis services have been provided Nepal since 2043 BS with the assistance of India by opening a kidney department at the initiative of Dr Pushkar Raj Satyal in 2041 BS. the number of nephrologists is nine in Nepal and kidney surgeons are just two- Dr Ashok Rana and Dr Asarfi Saha.

Various health centers, Nursing Homes and hospitals including Bir Hospital and teaching hospital now provide hemodialysis services in Nepal.