Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care

Patan hospital is one of the pioneer institutes in the development of anesthesia services in Nepal. Due to the shortage of anesthesiologists in Nepal in the early days of its development, numerous doctors from different countries visited Patan Mission Hospital (formerly known as Shanta Bhawan) every three months in rotation. Dr Melville, Dr Tumblinson and Dr Tom Fell, among others, made substantial contributions to the Anesthesia Department at Patan Hospital. Various complex surgeries such as thoracotomy, craniotomy, nephrectomy and others were successfully performed during that time. 

After Patan Hospital was relocated to Lagankhel in 1982, Dr Bern Vogp and Dr Paul from Germany trained many anesthesia assistants in Nepal through Nick Simons Institute. They also provided training to two nurse anesthetists, namely Hari maya Gurung and Krishna Shrestha who became part of anesthesia department. They also used EMO, ether, trielene and halothane. During that time, there was only one Boyles machine available for use. Patient monitoring relied on tools like precordial stethescope, esophageal stethoscope and manual sphygmomanometer. Dr Natasha Shrestha completed her diploma from TUTH and dedicated a decade of service to Patan Hospital. Dr Brigada, the last foreign anesthesiologist served Patan Hospital for 15 years playing a key role in establishing ICU.

The subsequent integration of full time anesthesiologists Dr Koju, Dr Sumati and Dr Narendra Bir Basnyat strengthened Patan Hospital Anesthesia Department. The year 2009 witnessed the arrival of Dr Anil and Dr Roshan, contributing significantly to the Department. Anesthesia Department is also involved in training MBBS students as part of UG program of Patan Academy of Health Sciences. In 2019, the MD program was initiated under the mentorship of Professor Man Bahadur Chand, adding a new dimension to medical education at Patan Hospital.

Concurrently, the anesthesia department manages a Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) equipped with five beds, emphasizing patient-centric care as a core principle. In addition to its core responsibilities, the department of anesthesia at Patan Hospital extends its services beyond traditional realms. Notably, it plays a pivotal role in providing Non-Operating Room Anesthesia (NORA) services, encompassing procedures like Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and interventional radiological interventions. This multifaceted approach reflects the commitment of the department to meet the diverse medical needs of the community and contribute to the broader spectrum of healthcare services.

Today, the anesthesia department not only thrives but also extends its services to  Pain Clinic, reflecting the continuous evolution and commitment to healthcare.

Currently, a cohesive team of ten dedicated anesthesiologists is at the forefront of ensuring the well-being of patients at Patan Hospital.