A new emergency block is under construction at Ilam Hospital in Ilam Municipality, eastern Nepal, funded by the government of India. The foundation stone for this project was laid jointly by Gitanjali Brandon, a counselor at the Indian Embassy in Nepal, and Kedar Thapa, the Mayor of the municipality. The emergency block, costing around NPR 94 million, aims to enhance healthcare access for residents in the area.
The local stakeholders, including Mayor Thapa, expressed gratitude for India’s continuous developmental support during the foundation stone laying ceremony. They anticipate that the emergency facility will significantly enhance healthcare services for the people of Ilam Municipality and nearby regions. This project is part of the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) framework, with the municipality overseeing its implementation.
The Indian Embassy emphasized the broad cooperation between Nepal and India across various sectors. The HICDPs reflect India’s commitment to supporting Nepal’s development, particularly in enhancing infrastructure in critical areas like healthcare, education, and community services. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Balendra Shah, several health infrastructure projects, a school building, and a waste management center have received foundation stones, all supported by the Indian government.
The HICDP program, initially known as Small Development Projects and launched in 2003, focuses on small-scale infrastructure and community-based initiatives in Nepal. These projects, managed by local authorities, target key sectors such as health, education, water supply, sanitation, electrification, and river training. An agreement in January 2024 raised the financial assistance ceiling per project from NPR 5 million to NPR 20 million, further boosting this development partnership between India and Nepal.
