Kanchanpur. Kathmandu: Krishnapur Municipality and Kathmandu University Mental Health and Research Centre Dhulikhel have signed a five-year agreement for the treatment and consultation of mental health patients.

Mayor Hemraj Ojha and Associate Dean of The University School of Medicine Dr Deepak Kunwar signed the agreement. According to the agreement, arrangements have been made to get direct consultation with specialist doctors of the university through visual technology with the help of medical officers at Krishnapur Health Post.

According to Mayor Ojha, the service will be operational from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm every Friday. He said that the program has been launched with the objective of effectively treating mental health problems through telemedicine.

“A team of the university will visit Krishnapur every three months and conduct direct health check-up of the patients,” he said, adding that the municipality would provide free medicines to the patients suffering from mental health problems. ’

According to Dr Kunwar, the agreement aims to prevent suicide, mental health awareness, expand access to quality treatment and ensure sustainable services through digital means. Direct referral services, telecounciling in case of emergencies, counseling of psychiatrists and psychosocial services will also be available based on the need.

The municipality has said it will provide necessary digital infrastructure, technical and administrative support for the operation of telemedicine services. It is said that the university and the municipality have signed the first agreement in the country for mental health related treatment.