Introduction

Pokhara Provincial Hospital, officially renamed as the Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences (PoAHS), is the largest government healthcare institution in Gandaki Province, Nepal. Located in Ramghat, Pokhara Metropolitan City, it functions as both a tertiary-level referral hospital and a medical education center, making it a central pillar in the province’s healthcare delivery system.

Originally established in 1957 AD, the hospital has undergone a remarkable transformation—from a modest local health center into a leading 500-bed public teaching hospital.

Historical Timeline

• 1957 AD: Founded as Soldier Board Hospital with just 15 beds.

• 1962 AD: Renamed Kaski District Hospital.

• 1976 AD: Upgraded to Gandaki Zonal Hospital to serve a larger population.

• 1986 AD: Became Western Regional Hospital with expanded services and beds.

• 2015 AD (2072 BS): Reconstituted as Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences under a government act, marking its evolution into a teaching and research institution.

 Location and Accessibility

• Address: Ramghat, Pokhara Metropolitan City-11, Kaski District, Gandaki Province, Nepal

• Phone: +977-61-520067

• Email: wrhpokh@gmail.com

• Website: www.pahs.gov.np

Situated in the heart of Pokhara, the hospital is easily accessible to patients from Kaski, Syangja, Baglung, Parbat, Tanahun, and other districts of Gandaki Province.

 Medical Services and Departments

Pokhara Provincial Hospital provides a comprehensive range of health services, covering primary to super-specialty care.

 Outpatient Services (OPD)

• General Medicine

• Pediatrics

• Surgery

• Orthopedics

• Obstetrics and Gynecology

• ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat)

• Dermatology

• Dental Care

• Ophthalmology

• Psychiatry

• Family Planning and Reproductive Health

 Inpatient Services

• Bed capacity: 500 beds

• Separate wards for medicine, surgery, pediatrics, maternity, orthopedics, and isolation

• 24/7 emergency care for trauma, accidents, and critical illnesses

 Intensive Care Units

• ICU (Intensive Care Unit) for adult critical patients

• NICU (Neonatal ICU) for newborns needing specialized care

 Diagnostics and Lab Services

• Radiology: X-ray, ultrasound, and plans for CT scan/MRI facilities

• Pathology and Microbiology Labs: Routine and advanced diagnostics

• ECG, Echo, and Endoscopy services

 Pharmacy and Blood Bank

• In-house pharmacy for patients

• Functional blood bank to meet surgical and emergency needs

Academic Programs at PoAHS

As a provincial academic institution, PoAHS is expanding rapidly in the field of medical education.

 Postgraduate (PG) Programs – Ongoing

• MD in General Medicine, Pediatrics, Radiology, Anesthesiology

• MS in General Surgery, Orthopedics, ENT, Obstetrics & Gynecology

• PG entrance managed by Nepal’s Medical Education Commission (MEC)

Undergraduate Programs – Planned/Upcoming

• MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery)

• B.Sc. Nursing

• Bachelor of Public Health (BPH)

• Allied Health Sciences Programs (Medical Lab, Radiography, etc.)

The hospital also serves as a clinical rotation center for students from other health science institutions.

Healthcare Staff and Operations

• Doctors: ~150 (including general practitioners and specialists)

• Nurses: ~160

• Paramedics and Technicians: ~60

• Administrative and Support Staff: ~100

The hospital handles:

• 1,500+ OPD visits per day

• 80–90 inpatient admissions daily

• A large volume of surgical procedures and deliveries each week

Role During COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 crisis, Pokhara Provincial Hospital was designated a COVID-19 treatment center with dedicated isolation wards and ventilators. It played a crucial role in testing, treatment, and vaccination, often coordinating with local and federal authorities.

 Vision and Mission

Mission:

To deliver equitable, affordable, and evidence-based healthcare while fostering excellence in medical education and research.

Vision:

To be a leading provincial medical institution in Nepal, advancing healthcare quality, training future professionals, and pioneering public health research.

Strategic Goals and Future Plans

• Expand into a fully autonomous teaching hospital with MBBS intake

• Introduce telemedicine and e-health systems

• Upgrade to super-specialty services (cardiology, nephrology, oncology)

• Collaborate with international institutions for research and academic exchange

• Enhance infrastructure with new ICU blocks and academic buildings

Did You Know?

• The hospital was originally built for soldiers in 1957.

• It has evolved through five institutional upgrades over seven decades.

• Pokhara Provincial Hospital plans to admit MBBS students by 2025, making it one of Nepal’s full-fledged government medical colleges.