KATHMANDU: Bir Hosiptal, the oldest hospital in Nepal has started offering surgical services in two shifts.  The hospital has started nose, ear, throat, dental, urology and general surgery services in two shifts to provide services according to the increasing pressure of patients.

Acting Director of the hospital Dr. Samaj Gautam said that in order to provide convenience to many patients, surgeries have now been started in both shifts in some services.

Earlier, surgery service was available in only one shift at the hospital. Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Poudel had asked all federal hospitals to start OPD services in both shifts. The hospital has said that the current service has been started by making an action plan accordingly. Although Bir has been providing services during OPD and public holidays, operations have finally started in both shifts.

Currently, some services with high patient pressure have started in both shifts, he said, and there is a plan to gradually move the remaining services to two shifts. Acting Director Gautam said that the service was started by managing from internal manpower and resources.

He said that more patients will be able to benefit from the service than before due to the operations being performed in both shifts. Dr. Gautam had announced that he would start such a service within a week of becoming the acting director.