What makes your hospital stand out in the crowd of hospitals in the country?

CIWEC Hospital and Travel Medicine Center stands as one of the most esteemed destination travel medicine centers globally. Originating as a clinic in 1982, its establishment aimed to fulfill the demand for a Western-standard clinic catering to foreign diplomats and aid workers in Nepal. Over its 45-plus years of existence, CIWEC has evolved from a clinic setup to a comprehensive hospital offering outpatient, inpatient, and 24/7 emergency services.

What are the specialised services that are only available at your hospital?

CIWEC offers a diverse array of services to cater to the healthcare needs of patients, organized into various departments and specialties such as Emergency, Radiology, Laboratory, Surgery, etc. What distinguishes us is our operational modality rooted in General Practice, a healthcare approach centered around family medicine. This medical specialty focuses on delivering comprehensive and continuous care to individuals and families of all ages, emphasizing a patient-centered, holistic, and longitudinal approach to healthcare.

In our model, if specialized care becomes necessary, the general practitioner coordinates and facilitates appropriate referrals as needed. As a core travel medicine center, our facility is staffed by healthcare professionals with expertise in travel medicine. They provide a range of services to assist travelers in preparing for their journeys and minimizing health risks associated with travel.

What are the latest medical treatment and diagnostic technologies that you have introduced in recent times?

Our evolution from a modest travel medicine clinic to a fully-fledged hospital has seen a substantial increase in our capacity for inpatient services, high-dependency units, and intensive care. Notably, recent enhancements include the establishment of an operation theatre in 2018 and the introduction of state-of-the-art endoscopy and colonoscopy services.

As a pioneer in the medical field, we take pride in being one of the first hospitals in the country to offer vasodilator (iloprost) therapy for patients with frostbite, further solidifying our commitment to advanced and specialized healthcare services.

How have the private hospitals in the country helped prevent the outflow of money for medical treatment?

The evolution of private hospitals in Nepal has been shaped by diverse factors, encompassing shifts in healthcare policies, economic progress, advancements in medical technology, and a growing demand for high-quality healthcare services. Although the development of private healthcare in Nepal has been gradual, recent years have witnessed significant advancements. The emergence of several tertiary care hospitals in the country equipped with advanced and specialized medical services, including cutting-edge medical procedures, specialized surgeries, and comprehensive diagnostic and treatment capabilities, has played a pivotal role. This progress has effectively curbed the necessity for patients to travel abroad for medical treatment, thereby preventing the outflow of funds.

What are your expectations from the government?

The government can consider taking several actions to enhance the health sector such as increasing healthcare funding, enhancing primary healthcare, investing in healthcare infrastructures, health workforce development and retention in the country, community health initiatives, health insurance coverage, research and development, etc.