This is probably the first time for a hospital to start such a facility for the elderly. According to acting medical superintendent Dr Keshab Bhurtel, the only goal of the separate ward is to provide better treatment to the elderly.
“I have come to this hospital several times earlier. They kept me in the general ward nurses and doctors never took notice of me,” said Harimaya. “But now, all the elderly have been kept in a separate ward. It is far more spacious and comfortable and the doctors provide better care,” she added.
Harimaya´s son Ramhari is equally happy. “Last time when she was suffering from high fever and she was kept in a general ward, she was not attended to by the doctors properly as the ward was crowded,” he said. “But with the setting up of a separate ward, the elderly have been getting proper attention now.”
Similarly, the family of 86-year-old Gagan Singh Surling Magar, who is suffering from high blood pressure and kidney failure, now feel relieved as Magar is getting proper care. “Indeed there is a huge difference. My father never received such care from the nurses earlier,” said son Man Bahadur.
According to the ward in-charge Rama Poudel there are 10 beds in the ward and five have been occupied. She added that only those above 75 years of age have been kept in the ward.
“The elderly people need special care. This kind of ward is necessary in every hospital,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, Bhurtel informed that the hospital received Rs 1.5 million from the health ministry for setting up the ward. “The ministry will release additional funds for the purpose,” he added.
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