At a public function held on December 22, 2006 in Siswani Jahada VDC, Biratnagar, Morang, Ambassador of India H.E. Mr. Shiva Shankar Mukherjee laid the foundation stone for the Nursing Campus building for Shree Krishna Prasad Koirala Sewa Guthi. The function was attended by representatives DDC Morang, local administration, community leaders and a large number of people from the area.
Under this cooperation project, for which a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Governments of India and Nepal on October 6, 2006, Government of India is providing grant assistance of NRs.2,94,28,247/- to Shree Krishna Prasad Koirala Sewa Guthi for construction of the Nursing Campus building within the premises of the Sewa Guthi.
The Nursing Campus, which is affiliated to the Council for Technical Education & Vocational Training (CTEVT) of Nepal and is run by the Shree Krishna Prasad Koirala Sewa Guthi, conducts proficiency level certificate courses in nursing for women. The new building will enable the Campus to conduct Auxiliary Nurse Midwife courses, producing 60 qualified nurses per year. There is tremendous demand for nurses in Nepal, especially after the recent challenging conditions that the people of Nepal have gone through.Almost all the nursing students are appointed by hospitals in Nepal even during their period of study. The project, therefore, is of significant importance for the development of specialised nursing resources and health care in Morang and adjoining districts.
The project will be implemented by the District Development Committee, Morang. An Oversight Committee consisting of the DDC, Morang, Sewa Guthi, District Health Officer and a representative of CTEVT has been constituted to oversee the project implementation.
During the foundation stone laying ceremony, Ambassador of India stressed the importance of development of healthcare infrastructure for Nepal's socio-economic development. He expressed the hope that the Nursing Campus would make a significant contribution in that direction and would emerge as an important icon of India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Programme. He reiterated the commitment of Government of India, made during the visit of Prime Minister of Nepal to India in June 2006, to triple the development assistance to strengthen and diversify bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries.
Currently the bilateral cooperation programme between the two countries is witnessing the realisation of more than 160 projects in education, health and infrastructure sector in 65 districts of Nepal with an outlay of NRs.2000 crores. These are ongoing projects and distinct from NRs.1600 crores economic package announced during the visit of Prime Minister Koirala to India in June 2006. Following the signing of the historic Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the Government and the people of India are steadfast in their commitment to further contribute to the socio-economic well being of the people of Nepal.
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