INF Nepal’s flagship hospital in Pokhara has grown significantly over the past year — expanding its clinical services, investing in new facilities, and preparing to train the next generation of Nepal’s health workers.

Green Pastures Hospital (GPH) has long been known as a specialist centre for rehabilitation and leprosy care. Now, with a series of major developments completed over the past twelve months, it is becoming something broader: a full-service hospital equipped to care for more patients, in more ways, than ever before.

New facilities, more patients reached

Among the most significant changes is a new integrated surgical suite. Previously, two operating theatres in separate parts of the hospital required duplicated anaesthetic and recovery teams. Three theatres are now consolidated into a single, purpose-built facility, making surgery safer and more efficient for both patients and staff.

Alongside this, the hospital has opened a five-bed intensive care unit, a new maternity ward with a delivery suite, and an expanded paediatric department that includes a postnatal clinic and maternal and child health unit. These additions allow GPH to provide the full range of acute, emergency, and critical care services expected of a 100-bed hospital — a standard it is now meeting as it prepares for the renewal of its registration.

“The development of Green Pastures is a key part of our strategic plan. We have not been providing all the services we should deliver through our registration as a 100-bed hospital — and that is now changing.”

— Dr Arun Kumar Budha, INF Nepal Medical Services Director

Training the next generation

GPH has also secured licences to run academic health education programmes, with the first cohort of students expected this autumn. The programmes will train nurses, healthcare assistants, and certificate-level students in physiotherapy, pharmacy, and laboratory sciences.

For Dr Arun, this is about more than filling staffing gaps. Nepal has just eight or nine qualified occupational therapists in the entire country, and similar shortages exist across rehabilitation disciplines — areas where Green Pastures has deep experience. The hospital wants to help change that.

“We will be training young health professionals who have an ethical and values-based foundation. We also plan, over time, to train people in areas where Nepal does not have much expertise — and to link with national and international universities for research.”

— Dr Arun Kumar Budha

Grounded in mission

Through all of this growth, GPH remains what it has always been: a Christian mission hospital, committed to caring for the whole person — physically, psychologically, and spiritually. Its medical staff, counsellors, and patient advocates continue to offer prayer and conversation about faith alongside clinical care.

“Our dream is for Green Pastures to be an important hospital for healthcare and mission in Nepal — building on INF’s firm foundation as we continue to answer God’s call to serve Nepalis.”

— Dr Arun Kumar Budha

The pace of change has been considerable. Much has been achieved in a short time, and there is more still to do — in staffing, equipment, and long-term financial sustainability. But the direction is clear, and the foundations are strong.