206 पटक हेरिएको 
Hetauda: An advanced autoclave machine has been handed over to Hetauda Hospital with the aim of further strengthening healthcare services and infection prevention and control systems. The autoclave was provided with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO), and other partner organizations. The machine has also successfully completed its technical validation process.
The technical validation was conducted in the presence of hospital health workers, technical teams, representatives of partner organizations, and hospital management officials. Hospital Manager Surendra Dev Badu expressed confidence that the autoclave would make a significant contribution to the safe sterilization of surgical and medical instruments used within the hospital.
He stated that the installation and validation of the advanced autoclave have further strengthened Hetauda Hospital’s infection prevention and control system. According to him, the machine will play an important role in ensuring safe, quality, and reliable healthcare services.
Keshav Shrestha, Program Manager at ENPHO, said that the autoclave was provided to support the strengthening of safe healthcare service systems at Hetauda Hospital.
An autoclave is considered a highly essential device for disinfecting healthcare waste generated by health institutions. It uses high temperature and pressure to sterilize healthcare waste by eliminating harmful microorganisms. He stated that this not only helps reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections but also contributes to providing safe healthcare services to patients.
Following installation, the machine underwent technical validation, including testing of its performance, temperature, pressure, and sterilization capacity. With the successful completion of the validation process, the machine is now ready for regular use, the hospital stated.
Ranjita Chaulagai, a member of the hospital’s Healthcare Waste Management Committee, said that healthcare workers would also receive orientation on the operation, maintenance, and quality assurance of the autoclave. This is expected to support the long-term sustainability of the equipment and help maintain service quality.
UNICEF and ENPHO have been providing technical and financial support to various healthcare institutions across Nepal to strengthen infection prevention and control, healthcare safety, and quality health services.
According to Buddha Bajracharya, Program Coordinator at ENPHO, several activities are being implemented under the “Improving WASH, HCWM and IPC Services in Healthcare Facilities in Bagmati and Gandaki Province” project. The project is currently being carried out in Hetauda Hospital, Bharatpur Hospital, Baglung Hospital, Pokhara Hospital, and Bhaktapur Hospital.
Hetauda Hospital currently provides a wide range of specialized healthcare services to thousands of people across Bagmati Province. The addition of modern equipment such as the autoclave is expected to enhance service quality while ensuring the safety of both patients and healthcare workers.
