Gorkha, August 6
Devotees visiting the Manakamana Temple will now have access to primary healthcare services within the temple premises. A Health Assistance Desk has been established through a joint partnership between the Manakamana Area Development Committee and the Shahid Lakhan Rural Municipality.
The facility, which is equipped to provide primary medical care, including ECG services, was inaugurated on Wednesday. The Health Assistance Desk was officially opened by Rural Municipality Chairperson Ramesh Thapa during a special ceremony.
Anjan Basnyat, Executive Director of the Manakamana Area Development Committee, said the desk was established in view of the health risks faced by devotees waiting in long queues to pay their homaage in the temple.
“Millions of devotees visit Manakamana every year,” he said. “Some have suffered serious health complications, and there have even been deaths while waiting in fasting conditions. This facility has been established to address such emergencies.”
Basnyat added that the Health Assistance Desk will also provide emergency treatment to elderly and physically vulnerable residents.
The rural municipality will provide the required healthcare personnel, while the committee will be responsible for overall management of the facility.
Medical equipment for the Health Assistance Desk has been donated by Manakamana Darshan Pvt. Ltd.. Temple chief priest Insan Thapa Magar has also pledged to contribute monthly financial support for the operation of the facility.
