Dhulikhel Hospital Extends OPD Hours: Services Now Available from 8 AM to 6 PM, Including Saturdays

Kavrepalanchok-Dhulikhel Hospital has extended the operating hours of its Outpatient Department (OPD) to improve access to quality healthcare services for the public.

The move is aimed particularly at working individuals—especially office-going patients—who are unable to visit the hospital during regular daytime hours due to professional and daily commitments.

Under the new schedule, OPD services will now be available from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, an extension of two hours from the previous operating time of 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

In addition, the hospital has been providing OPD services on Saturdays for the past few weeks. According to Hospital Director Prof. Dr. Balram Malla, Saturday OPD services are being offered from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, targeting patients who cannot seek medical care on regular working days.

Speaking at a press conference held on Sunday, hospital officials clarified that the Government of Nepal’s Health Insurance Program will not be applicable during the extended OPD hours (from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on weekdays) and on Saturdays.

Dr. Malla explained that the health insurance system requires real-time entry of patient enrollment and service package claims, but the insurance server closes after 4:00 PM and does not support real-time data entry on public holidays. As a result, insurance services cannot be provided during the extended hours and on holidays.

For the time being, the extended OPD services will offer specialist care in Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics, the hospital stated. Despite the extended hours, no additional service charges will be applied, the hospital administration confirmed.

The hospital emphasized that the decision to extend OPD hours and introduce Saturday services reflects its commitment to ensuring that patients are not forced to choose between their livelihoods and essential healthcare. Services on public holidays, except Saturdays, will be provided based on necessity and operational feasibility, according to Dr. Malla.