KATHMANDU, June 3: Nepal and Germany on Tuesday jointly launched three development initiatives in Dhulikhel aimed at improving healthcare services, strengthening community infrastructure and promoting renewable energy.
The projects were inaugurated by representatives of the Government of Nepal, Dhulikhel Municipality, Dhulikhel Hospital, the German Embassy and German development agencies during a programme attended by German Ambassador Udo Eugen Volz, local officials and community stakeholders.
The first initiative involved the inauguration of the rehabilitated Dhulikhel Drinking Water Supply System. The system, which serves more than 20,000 residents as well as key institutions including Dhulikhel Hospital and Kathmandu University, was restored after suffering significant damage from floods and landslides in September 2024.
According to officials, the rehabilitation was financed by the German government through a programme implemented by the German development agency GIZ, with additional support from Dhulikhel Municipality. The work included reconstruction of damaged intake structures, stabilization measures and repairs to transmission pipelines.
Tapping into the sun
The programme also marked the inauguration of a new healthcare waste management treatment facility at Dhulikhel Hospital. The facility includes an autoclave system designed to improve the safe treatment of infectious medical waste and strengthen waste management practices in line with Nepal’s national standards.
German development cooperation has been supporting the hospital since January 2026 to improve waste segregation, transportation, treatment and disposal systems. Hospital officials said the facility will help protect healthcare workers, patients and surrounding communities while supporting plans to establish Dhulikhel Hospital as a national training center for healthcare waste management.
A third initiative launched during the event was a rooftop solar project at Dhulikhel Hospital financed by Germany through the KfW Development Bank. The project includes a 500-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system with battery storage that is expected to be completed later this year.
Officials said the solar system will provide more reliable electricity for critical services such as operation theatres, emergency care units and pathology laboratories. The project is expected to generate around 778 megawatt-hours of electricity annually and reduce the hospital’s energy costs by approximately Rs 9.5 million each year.
Germany has been a longstanding development partner of Nepal in healthcare, renewable energy and sustainable development. German agencies, including KfW, GIZ and PTB, continue to support Nepal’s efforts toward climate-resilient and inclusive development, officials said.
-1780813474.webp)
