Bhaktapur, July 19: Nepal Korea Friendship Hospital run by the Madhyapur Thimi Municipality in Bhaktapur has availed free coronavirus test for patients from the Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital and Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre.

As per the agreement reached with two special health facilities for particular diseases, the Hospital has launched free PCR tests for heart and cancer patients.

According to Mayor and Hospital Management Committee Chair Madan Sundar Shrestha, the PCR test is available for up to seven patients (recommended for urgent surgery) from the Cancer Hospital and 10 from the National Heart Center on a daily basis. The Hospital has agreed to produce the test report within the 24 hours so as to ensure prompt treatment to the patients.

According to Cancer Hospital's administrative officer Rajaram Tajale, it takes five to seven days to receive the test report from the National Public Health Laboratory, Teku. He added it would be a great support for us and patients when the Nepal-Korea Hospital provides free test and produces the report within the 24 hours.

The Gangalal National Heart Center also hopes the Madhyapur Thimi municipality's support would help patients get timely treatment. The Hospital has already conducted the free PCR test of around 1,000 people including local people's representatives, hospital patients, employees, journalists, Bagmati State assembly members, people's representatives from other local governments, and emergency patients from other several hospitals.

Meantime, the Lions Club has assisted 400 PCR kits to the Hospital. The Club handed the assistance to mayor Shrestha.