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The Government of Nepal and the Embassy of Republic of Korea in Nepal have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for building a 100-bed well-equipped hospital in Madhyapur Thimi Municipality of Bhaktapur.

The MoU is signed under the project, "Capacity Building of Medical Service to Achieve Universal Health Coverage for the Poor in Vulnerable Areas in Bhaktapur, Nepal."

The MoU was signed by Finance Secretary Arjun Prasad Pokhrel and Ambassador of Republic of Korea to Nepal Park Tae-Young at the Ministry of Finance in Singha Durbar today.

As per the MoU, the Korean Government through Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will spend USD 9.5 million (equivalent to Rs 1.25 billion) for this project for five years. The project aims to enhance the capacity of medical infrastructure and professionals for quality hospital management, infection control, and improved coverage of public health insurance to attain the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Bhaktapur, the Finance Ministry said in a press release.

This project shall be implemented by KOICA and the Madhyapur Thimi Municipality and Nepal Korea Friendship Municipality Hospital (NKFMH) in close collaboration and coordination with the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA) of Nepal.

KOICA shall construct a 100-bed hospital in the adjoining land of NKFMH, provide necessary medical equipment and develop the capacity of medical and administrative staff of the hospital. The old and new hospital buildings shall be interconnected for effective service delivery, it is stated.

During the signing ceremony, Shreekrishna Nepal, Joint Secretary of the International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division, Ministry of Finance, acknowledged the support of the Korean Government.

He said that Korea is a trusted development partner of Nepal and its support is being upscaled over the years. Further, he appreciated people to people relations between the two countries.

On the occasion, Kong, Country Director of KOICA said that KOICA has implemented various health projects in Nepal and every project has its own unique achievement.

He added phase 2 of NKFMH shall be instrumental in providing quality health care to the general public and poor and vulnerable people of Bhaktapur and nearby districts shall have easy access to specialized health care services.

During the signing ceremony, Finance Secretary Pokhrel expressed his gratitude to the Government of RoK for the partnership which shall enhance the friendly relation between the two countries. He further assured to fully cooperate for the successful implementation of this project.

Korean Ambassador Tae-Young on the occasion expressed that the new hospital will be very much useful for the general public and he expected full cooperation from the government side to successfully implement this project. He also said that he is looking forward to marking the 50-year bilateral diplomatic relations between Korea and Nepal.

Madhyapur Thimi Municipality Mayor Surendra Shrestha and representatives of MoFAGA, KOICA and NKFMH were also present at the ceremony.

All six people on board the ill-fated Manang Air chopper that crashed in Lamjura of Solukhumbu on Tuesday morning were killed.

Jeevan BK said that all the six bodies have been retrieved from the incident site.

“Six bodies have been recovered from the crashed site. Discussions are underway to decide where to send the bodies,” he said.

The chopper with call sign 9N-AMV that took off for Kathmandu from Surke at 10: 05 am today was found crashed at Chyandanda in Lamjura of Bhakanje, Likhupike Rural Municipality-5, Rural Municipality Chairperson Mina Karki Basnet said.

Apart from Captain Chet Gurung, there were five Mexican nationals.  

The helicopter en route to Kathmandu from Solukhumbu had gone missing since this morning.

A Manang Air helicopter, which had gone missing since this morning, has crashed at Lamjura Danda.

The chopper with call sign 9N-AMV that took off for Kathmandu from Surke at 10: 05 am today was found crashed at Chyandanda in Lamjura of Bhakanje, Likhupike Rural Municipality-5, Rural Municipality Chairperson Mina Karki Basnet said.

The helicopter was flown by Capitan Chet Gurung.

Apart from Captain Gurung, there were five foreigners on board the helicopter, Sagar Kandel, ATC Office at the Lukla Airport, said.

A Manang Air helicopter en route to Kathmandu from Solukhumbu has been reported missing.

The chopper with call sign 9N-AMV took off from Surke Helipad in Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality2 carrying five passengers at 10: 05 am today, the Civil Aviation Authority, Lukla said.

Office Chief Mahesh Shrestha said that the helicopter, which was supposed to reach the destination in 45 minutes, has not come in contact yet.

Search is underway for the missing chopper.