KATHMANDU: A digital training hub has been launched at Biratnagar Eye Hospital, marking a significant milestone for Nepal’s eye health sector.
The facility has been established by Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh in collaboration with Orbis International at the hospital operated under the Lahan Eye and Ear Health Care System.
The hub was officially inaugurated during a special programme held in Biratnagar on Thursday.
The service was jointly inaugurated by Koshi Province Health Minister Man Bahadur Limbu and Kathleen A. Sherwin.
This is the first digital training hub of its kind in Nepal and represents a shift from traditional teaching methods to technology-based medical education.
The facility is equipped with advanced surgical simulators, wet lab facilities, virtual learning systems and Cybersight-enabled global tele-mentoring. These technologies will allow doctors and healthcare professionals to enhance their skills with greater safety, precision and confidence.
Training programmes under the initiative will include participation from eye hospitals, medical colleges and health professionals from both public and private institutions across Nepal, along with participants from international organisations. Sessions will be facilitated by globally experienced experts in the field.
The centre is also expected to promote medical education tourism by attracting international trainees and reducing dependence on costly overseas training. With this development, Biratnagar Eye Hospital is expected to emerge as a leading regional and international training centre.
According to Chief Administrator of the Lahan Eye and Ear Health Care System Sudhir Thakur, the network operates through two hospitals and more than 40 eye care centres, providing services from urban areas to remote communities.
In 2025 alone, the system provided more than 1.4 million eye care services, including over 132,000 sight-restoring surgeries and more than 764,000 community-based services. Since its establishment, the system has delivered more than 16.6 million services and performed nearly 2.5 million surgeries.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by President of Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh Chet Raj Pant, General Secretary Bharat Bahadur Chand, Executive Director Shailesh Kumar Mishra, Chairperson of the Hospital Management Committee Padma Narayan Chaoudhary and Country Director of Orbis International India Rishi Raj Bohara, along with other medical professionals and distinguished guests.
The digital training hub is expected to set new benchmarks for innovation, quality and accessibility in Nepal’s eye care sector while contributing to the reduction of preventable blindness.
Comment