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Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has stressed the need to remain alert with the new challenges emerging in the health sector.

In his address to the first convocation ceremony of the Patan Academy of Health Sciences today, PM Dahal instructed the agencies concerned to pay special attention to resolve the problems seen in the health sector.

"The Academy should develop more infrastructure to overcome and manage any challenges that may arise in the health sector", he said, laying special emphasis on making the hospital services more quality and effective.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister underlined the need to produce skilled and socially responsible doctors for quality health care in rural areas, according to the PM's personal secretariat.

Underscoring the need to expand access to health services to the rural areas, PM Dahal cited COVID-19 pandemic situation to note the general public of Nepal can get universal health care services only if the public health institutions are effective and efficient.

The government has placed high priority on developing the capacity of all public hospitals, the PM said, instructing the Academy to take further initiative to provide specialized health services, including access to health services to all, quality of service as well as identifying social, cultural and environmental factors affecting public health in the community.

PM Dahal also took the opportunity to appreciate the Academy's recent initiatives of launching health insurance and community-based service delivery in collaboration with local governments.

The Prime Minister highlighted the urgency for establishing an integrated institute of health sciences and removal of duplication in medical education and health services for the management, operation and regulation of all medical and health sciences related institutions in the country.

"Attention should be paid to enhancing capacity of all health institutions to provide basic and quality health services to all citizens", he said, informing the government was making necessary ground works towards developing Nepal as a hub of medical education. 

The Kathmandu University Architecture Club (KUARC), in collaboration with the Department of Civil Engineering at Kathmandu University (KU), is set to host Prarambha’24, an architectural event on April 25 and 26 at the KU premises in Dhulikhel. “Building upon the success of previous editions, Prarambha’24 promises to be even more enriching, aiming to bridge the gap between academia and industry while promoting architectural innovation and excellence,” say the organizers.

Prarambha is an annual architecture festival designed to connect architecture students and professionals from Kathmandu University with the wider community, fostering collaboration and promoting architectural awareness. The organizers anticipate that this year’s event will have an expanded scope and attendance, with over 5,000 students and professionals expected to participate.

Leading up to Prarambha’24, several pre-events were organized as part of the main exhibition. The ‘ROOTS’ exhibition held at Panauti and the Bhaktapur mini-exhibition at Bhaktapur Durbar Square aimed to educate the general public about Nepal’s rich architectural heritage. Additionally, a rammed earth workshop offered students practical experience in traditional construction techniques, encouraging them to explore alternative building methods.

“Recognizing that a festival should also include fun, we incorporated various sports events such as cricket and marathon, along with an online musical challenge, into the pre-events of Prarambha’24,” says Kartabya Regmi, Secretary of the KUARC. “Architecture can be a hectic subject for students, so we thought that by including some engaging and enjoyable activities alongside educational events, we could better capture the interest of students and the public.”

The two-day event includes a book launch for ‘KU Archive’, panel discussions on various aspects of architecture and related issues, stalls showcasing architectural designs, an exhibition, and the announcement and prize distribution for project competition winners. There will also be food stalls and other attractions. Additionally, on the evening of April 26, there will be a musical session with performances by over 25 local and emerging singers. 

President Ram Chandra Paudel hosted a state banquet in honor of the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who is in Kathmandu for a two-day state visit.

On the occasion, different cultural performances were performed.

In the banquet, First Lady Sabita Paudel, Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Speaker Devraj Ghimire and National Assembly Chairman Narayan Prasad Dahal were present.

Chief Justice, Deputy Prime Ministers, former prime ministers, ministers, lawmakers, industrialists and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

Earlier today, President Paudel and Emir of the State of Qatar held bilateral talks at the Office of the President in Sheetal Niwas.

Likewise, two countries' delegations are scheduled to hold bilateral meetings on Wednesday.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has requested Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar to help release Nepali student Bipin Joshi, who has gone missing since the attack by Hamas in Israel.

President Paudel made this request during a bilateral meeting held with the Qatari Emir at the President’s Office in Sheetal Niwas earlier this afternoon.

At the cordial invitation of President Paudel, Emir Al Thani of Qatar arrived here this afternoon on a two-day state visit to Nepal.

On the occasion, President Paudel said that Bipin's release was a matter of interest and concern and urged the Emir of Qatar to take initiative for his release, according to Kiran Pokharel, the President's Press Advisor.

In response, the Emir of Qatar said that he had taken some initiative on the matter in the past and that he would take further initiatives in this regard.

Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student in Israel, remains missing following the attack in Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has urged Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to deepen cooperation between Nepal and Qatar on issues of common interests like saving the earth from climate change impacts, protecting the Himalayas, preserving the sources of water, and maintaining environmental balance.

President Paudel said so at a meeting with the Qatari Emir Al Thani at the Office of the President in Sheetal Niwas earlier today.

The Emir of the State of Qatar arrived in Kathmandu this afternoon on a two-day state visit to Nepal at the invitation of President Paudel.

"The common challenge of today's world is saving the earth from climate change; protecting our Himalayas; preserving the source of water and maintaining the environmental balance. Cooperation of all is imperative in these areas. This is an issue of human existence. I think mostly the developing countries should be more serious in such issues,” President's press advisor Kiran Pokharel quoted President Paudel as saying.

The President also said that the conflict in the Middle East has 'made us worried', Pokharel said. 

Likewise, President Paudel praised the role played by Qatar for peace building and wished for the end to the war and restoration of peace in the Middle East.

On the occasion, the Emir of the State of Qatar Al Thani said the entire world is suffering from climate change impacts, and good results will come and a good environment will be created if all abided by the international agreements on climate change.

He also expressed the confidence that his visit would be fruitful to explore new areas of cooperation by further deepening Nepal-Qatar relations.

Furthermore, the Emir of Qatar praised and expressed appreciation to Nepali migrant workers stating that they have huge contributions to the development of Qatar.

The Emir of Qatar Al Thani viewed that new possibilities could be explored for investments in water resources, agriculture, tourism and other sectors in Nepal.

On the occasion, President Paudel also expressed the confidence that the agreement and memorandum of understanding to be reached on Wednesday would unleash new potentials for investment in the areas such as water resource, agriculture and tourism in Nepal.

Noting that Nepal and Qatar have ever enjoyed cordial bilateral relations, President Paudel clarified that the relations between Nepal and Qatar are bound by the sense of friendship, mutual respect, trust and good will.

There has been a tradition of exchange of high-level visits between the two countries in a regular way which he claimed had played a spectacular role in expanding the bilateral relations.

The historical visit has taken the Nepal-Qatar relations to a new height, he further said.

Noting that Nepal has moved towards the journey of economic development and prosperity now with the agendas of political transformation reaching to a conclusion of late, he expressed his belief that there would be continuous support from Qatar to Nepal's efforts towards attaining development and prosperity.

President Paudel further expressed his optimism that the bilateral cooperation and collaboration would be further deepened in coming days in the context when there are arrays of potential for partnership in trade, tourism and investment areas.

Qatar has been a prime and attractive destination of foreign employment for Nepali workers and Nepali workforce has also substantially contributed in the making of modern Qatar, he recalled.

Expressing happiness over the sustainable development and prosperity of Qatar under the visionary leadership of the Emir, President Paudel lauded his far-reaching thinking and unswerving commitment to make Qatar a highly-developed nation.

On the occasion, the visiting dignitary also signed the visitors' book placed at the Office of the President.

President Ram Chandra Paudel and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a meeting at the former’s official residence in Maharajgunj on Tuesday.

During the meeting, they discussed matters of mutual interest, the President Office informed.

Qatari Emir Al Thani, who arrived in Kathmandu on a two-day state visit this afternoon, was welcomed by President Paudel upon his arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha had reached TIA to receive the distinguished guest from Qatar.

Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth, members of the Council of Ministers, high-ranking government officials, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions in Kathmandu were at the airport to welcome the Qatari Emir.

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday on a two-day state visit to Nepal.

He landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport at 3: 45 pm.

President Ram Chandra Paudel welcomed the Qatar’s Emir upon his arrival at the airport. A contingent of the Nepal Army offered a guard of honor to Qatar Emir Al Thani at the airport.

He arrived in Kathmandu at the cordial invitation of President Paudel.

The Qatar’s Emir arrived in Kathmandu today after completing his official visit to the Philippines and Bangladesh.

The Qatar’s Emir arrived in Kathmandu today after completing his official visit to the Philippines and Bangladesh.

Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Speaker Devraj Ghimire, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha had reached TIA to receive the distinguished guest from Qatar.

Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth, members of the Council of Ministers, high-ranking government officials, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions in Kathmandu were at the TIA to welcome the Qatari Emir.

The visit is expected to help elevate the bilateral relations between Nepal and Qatar to a new height.

The Foreign Ministry said that he will hold a meeting with President Paudel in Sheetal Niwas today itself.

The President is scheduled to host a state banquet in honor of the Emir.

Similarly, the distinguished guest from Qatar will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday.

Following the talks, both leaders will witness the signing ceremony of bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding, the Foreign Ministry added.

This is the first visit by any Qatari Emir to Nepal ever since the two countries established diplomatic relations on January 21, 1977.

Nepal opened its embassy in Doha, Qatar on July 11, 2000 and Qatar its embassy in Nepal in Kathmandu in August 2011.

Qatar serves as one of the major labor destinations for Nepal.

The Qatari Emir is scheduled to depart from Kathmandu on April 24.

The delegation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries from Russia paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

In the meeting held at the official residence of the Prime Minister at Baluwatar today, the visiting Russian delegation discussed various aspects of Nepal-Russia relations and investment prospects among others with PM Dahal.

On the occasion, PM Dahal shared that the Government of Nepal was preparing for the Investment Summit (on April 28-29 this year) to attract foreign investment and, thus, urged the Russian delegation to consider investment in Nepal, according to PM Dahal Secretariat.

"We have prepared for the Investment Summit focusing on the entrepreneurs and foreign investors," the PM informed the visiting Russian delegation, mentioning some amendments in the laws to facilitate foreign investors to invest in Nepal.

 "The government adopts the policy of cooperation to those willing to invest in Nepal," he assured. Stating that Russia had been continuously supporting economic development in Nepal, the Head of the Government suggested that there was ample scope for investment in road, agriculture, hydro power projects and information technology in Nepal.

Expressing his confidence that the Nepal-Russia ties would remain further strong in the new context, he emphasized enhancing mutual cooperation between the two countries in coming days.

The Russian delegation was led by Sergey Katyrin, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries of the Russian Federation. Present in the courtesy meeting were Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President Chandra Prasad Dhakal and Russian Ambassador to Nepal Aleksei Novikov among others.