Patan Hospital

Kathmandu, Nepal

Patan Hospital was begun in 1954 as the Shanta Bhawan Hospital and functioned in rented facilities for the first twenty-five years of its existence. In 1982, the hospital moved into a new, permanent building and assumed the name of Patan Hospital. It was one of the initial projects of the United Mission to Nepal and is located in the southern part of the Kathmandu valley in the town of Patan. Currently it is a 204 bed general hospital with a large outpatient department which serves over 250,000 patients annually. It has a 24 hour emergency room as well as 16 other departments. A birthing center, the first of its kind in Nepal, was opened in 1993 and private suites were added in 1997 under the direction of Hospital Medical Director, Dr. Mona Bomgaars and administrator, John Rollins, PC(USA) mission co-workers. The hospital is a joint venture between the United Mission to Nepal (UMN), and His Majesty's Government/Nepal.

Patan Hospital is also the headquarters for CHDP (Community Development and Health Project) which serves the districts of Lalitpur and Makwanpur. The hospital cooperates with CDHP in many ways, including a unique pre-paid health insurance scheme that covers medicines and reduced charges for referrals to the outpatient department and inpatient services from the CDHP and government health posts in Lalitpur. It also cooperates with YUHP, an innovative urban community health program operated by UMN serving the city of Patan.

Recent developments include an orthopedics ward, ICU, computerization of the pharmacy, and a private ward to increase charity funds. Patan also serves as a teaching hospital for a three year nursing school operated by UNM, as well as post graduate residence programs in three medical specialties.

Work at the Patan Hospital is assisted by PC(USA) Extra Commitment Opportunity funds (Acct.#862365). The Medical Benevolence Foundation provides financial support as well.