Hospice Nepal

Founded 25 years ago by FOPH board member Dr. Rajesh Gongal, Hospice Nepal was the first organization of its kind in the country, pioneering compassionate end-of-life care for patients and families in the Kathmandu Valley.

For decades, hospice and palliative care were largely unavailable in Nepal. As traditional family support structures have shifted and many younger family members have moved abroad, the need for dignified, professional end-of-life care has grown dramatically. Hospice Nepal has stepped into this gap, providing both at-home and inpatient services—free of charge—to patients facing life-limiting illness.

In 2019 alone, Hospice Nepal cared for approximately 230 patients. Since 2005, it has trained more than 1,200 physicians, nurses, and rural health workers to expand access to palliative care across the country. Through innovative educational initiatives, including programs such as Project ECHO and other professional training efforts, Hospice Nepal is equipping providers throughout Nepal—urban and rural alike—to reduce suffering and ensure that the final phase of life can be lived with comfort and dignity.

Currently operating from an 8-bed inpatient unit, Hospice Nepal has purchased land and is raising funds to construct a new 24-bed facility to meet the rapidly expanding need for these services. Support for this effort can be directed through FOPH, and as always, 100% of every contribution goes directly to Hospice Nepal.