India Supports Construction of New Health Post in Nepal
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Key Takeaways
Kathmandu, April 16 (NationPress) A new health post is under construction in Badigad Rural Municipality-7, located in the Baglung district of Gandaki Province, Nepal, thanks to the financial support from the Indian government.
On Wednesday, the foundation stone for the Bhimgithe Health Post was jointly laid by Gandaki Thapa Adhikari, Chairperson of Badigad Rural Municipality, and Ajay Kumar Singh, Second Secretary at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, as stated in an announcement from the Indian Embassy on Thursday.
The project is expected to cost around NPR 25 million and is classified as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP), which will be executed through the local Badigad Rural Municipality.
Community representatives and local stakeholders have expressed their gratitude for India's ongoing support for development, emphasizing that this facility is anticipated to greatly enhance healthcare accessibility in the region.
As neighboring countries, India and Nepal maintain extensive cooperation across various sectors. The Indian Embassy stated, "The execution of such community-oriented projects showcases India’s sustained commitment to Nepal's developmental initiatives, especially in enhancing infrastructure in crucial sectors."
The HICDPs program plays a pivotal role in the India-Nepal development collaboration, with funds allocated under this program aimed at grassroots development within Nepal.
Originally launched in 2003, the HICDPs were formerly known as Small Development Projects. This initiative focuses on supporting small-scale infrastructure and community-based projects across Nepal through local governance. The program prioritizes sectors identified by the Government of Nepal, such as health, education, drinking water, sanitation, rural electrification, hydropower, and river management.
To date, a total of 573 projects have been completed nationwide, with a total investment of approximately NPR 13.59 billion under this initiative, according to information from the embassy’s website.
Among these, 294 projects are in the education sector, which includes the establishment of 217 school buildings, making education the largest beneficiary, as per the Embassy's data.
In a significant advancement for the initiative, a new agreement reached in January 2024 has increased the ceiling for Indian financial assistance to NPR 20 million per project from the previous NPR 5 million.