This is the biggest aid ever committed by the northern neighbor to NA.[break]
“We are working out a plan and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed soon,” a major general told Republica. “The aid will be used to build a hospital and improve infrastructures of existing medical institutions.”
According to Army sources, a high-level Chinese delegation is arriving Kathmandu in a week or two to further discuss the matter and finalize the deal.
Last year, NA had made public its plan to build Nepal Army Institute of Health Sciences (NAIHS). It had said the institute would provide free medical services to incumbent as well as retired personnel and their dependents.
NA also has plans to run a health institute under the NAIHS to produce doctors, nurses and other medical professionals. Besides the Chinese aid, NA also aims to make investments from the Army Welfare Fund that has an accumulated deposit of about Rs 18 billion.
“Operating health institutes means doing a profit-oriented business and serving the society and people at the same time,” said an NA official. “Also, it is relatively safe to invest in health institutes.”
At present, NA has been operating two hospitals in Kathmandu -- Birendra Sainik Hospital in Chauni and Tri-Chandra Military Hospital in Mahankal -- and a medical center in Sallghari, Bhaktapur. The NA also has medical units at its divisions, brigades, battalions and companies across the country.
Court martial board formed
A five-member court martial board has been formed on Wednesday to determine the punishment that should be awarded to Brigadier General Kiran Bajaracharya and his eight subordinates, who have been accused of breaching army discipline by lobbying political leaders against the term extension of Major General Naresh Basnyat.
Judge Advocate General BA Kumar Sharma told Republica the board which is chaired by Major General Anil Jung Thapa comprises two brigadier generals and two colonels.
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