Nepal’s only dedicated mental hospital is stretched beyond capacity
Summary
Nepal’s only government-run mental hospital in Lagankhel is operating beyond capacity, facing shortages in beds, staff, and infrastructure to meet the growing demand for psychiatric care across the country.
Key Points
- Nepal’s Mental Hospital in Lagankhel is the only government-run central mental hospital and is operating beyond capacity with 69 beds instead of the sanctioned 50.
- The hospital treats a range of mental health disorders and provides services including electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and a 24/7 suicide helpline.
- There is a severe shortage of infrastructure, manpower, and budget to meet the increasing demand from patients across all 77 districts of Nepal.
- Stigma around mental health affects patients and healthcare workers, leading to late treatment-seeking and high staff turnover at the hospital.
