ECHS Empanelled Hospitals in Nepal — Full List with Contact Details
Knowing which hospitals are ECHS empanelled in Nepal is essential for every retired Indian Army Gorkha veteran. An ECHS beneficiary can only receive cashless treatment at hospitals on the official empanelled list — attending a non-empanelled hospital (except in emergencies) means paying out of pocket and seeking reimbursement, which is a slower and less reliable process. This article provides the most current available list of ECHS empanelled hospitals in Nepal and guidance on using them.
Why Does It Matter Which Hospital Is ECHS Empanelled in Nepal?
ECHS empanelment determines whether your treatment is cashless or requires out-of-pocket payment and later reimbursement. Only empanelled hospitals have a direct billing agreement with ECHS — they provide treatment and bill ECHS directly, at agreed rates, without collecting money from the beneficiary for covered services.
If an ECHS beneficiary attends a non-empanelled hospital for non-emergency treatment:
- They must pay the full treatment cost out of their own pocket.
- They can apply for reimbursement from ECHS, but this process is slower, often incomplete, and not guaranteed.
- Reimbursement rates are limited to ECHS schedule rates, which may be lower than the hospital’s actual charges — the difference is borne by the patient.
For emergency treatment at a non-empanelled hospital, ECHS reimburses up to its schedule of charges. Post-emergency, the patient must report to the ECHS polyclinic within the prescribed timeframe to complete documentation.
Whenever possible, choose an ECHS empanelled hospital for all planned treatment.
Which Hospitals in Pokhara Are ECHS Empanelled?
ECHS empanelled hospitals in the Pokhara region include A & B International Hospital (Bindhyaabasini, Pokhara-02), Manipal Teaching Hospital (Pokhara), Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital (Pokhara), and Charak Memorial Hospital (Pokhara). Each has specific strengths and departmental coverage.
A & B International Hospital
Location: Bindhyaabasini, Pokhara-02, Kaski, Nepal
Phone: +977 061-412512
Website: abinthospital.com
Specialties available:
- Orthopedics and joint surgery (American technology)
- General medicine and internal medicine
- General and laparoscopic surgery
- Gynecology and obstetrics
- Pediatrics
- ENT (ear, nose, throat)
- Ophthalmology
- Dentistry
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
- Diagnostics (laboratory, X-ray, ultrasound, ECG)
- 24-hour emergency services
A & B International Hospital is centrally located in Pokhara, easily accessible from the main city area and from the ECHS polyclinic. Its 24-hour emergency department is a significant advantage for after-hours and weekend care.
Manipal Teaching Hospital
Location: Phulbari, Pokhara, Kaski, Nepal
Status: ECHS empanelled (verify current status at ECHS polyclinic or echs.gov.in)
Manipal Teaching Hospital is a major tertiary care institution in Pokhara, affiliated with Manipal University and offering a broad range of specialties including cardiology, neurology, nephrology, oncology, and advanced surgery. It is one of the larger empanelled facilities for higher-complexity cases in western Nepal.
Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital
Location: Pokhara, Kaski, Nepal
Status: ECHS empanelled (verify current status)
Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital provides general and specialist care and serves as a teaching institution for medical education in the Gandaki Province. It offers emergency, medical, and surgical services.
Charak Memorial Hospital
Location: Pokhara, Kaski, Nepal
Status: ECHS empanelled (verify current status)
Charak Memorial Hospital provides general medicine, surgical, and obstetric services in Pokhara. It is known among Gorkha community members in the region.
Are There ECHS Empanelled Hospitals in Kathmandu?
Yes. Several hospitals in Kathmandu are ECHS empanelled, serving veterans in the Bagmati Province and those referred from other parts of Nepal for higher-level specialist care. MediPlus Hospital is among the empanelled facilities in Kathmandu. Verify current empanelment through the ECHS polyclinic in Kathmandu or the Embassy of India Defence Wing.
Kathmandu is also the referral destination for conditions requiring highly specialized care not available at Pokhara-based hospitals — such as certain cardiac surgeries, complex neurosurgery, advanced oncology, and organ transplant services.
Veterans in Kathmandu should register with the nearest ECHS polyclinic in the capital for their OPD services and referrals.
Are There ECHS Empanelled Hospitals in Other Parts of Nepal?
ECHS empanelled hospitals exist in multiple provinces of Nepal corresponding to high Gorkha veteran population centres. Eastern Nepal (Dharan/Biratnagar) and the Terai region also have empanelled facilities. The most current and verified list is maintained by ECHS and the Embassy of India Defence Wing.
For veterans in areas with no nearby empanelled hospital:
- Emergency: Go to the nearest available hospital. Present ECHS Smart Card. Document treatment. Apply for reimbursement through polyclinic.
- Non-emergency: Contact the ECHS polyclinic for the nearest empanelled hospital in your region. Do not travel to a non-empanelled hospital when an empanelled option is accessible.
How Do You Verify a Hospital’s Current ECHS Empanelment Status?
To verify whether a hospital is currently ECHS empanelled, check the official ECHS website (echs.gov.in), contact the ECHS Polyclinic Pokhara directly, or ask the hospital’s billing department if they currently hold a valid ECHS empanelment agreement. Empanelment can lapse if hospitals fail compliance requirements.
Steps to verify empanelment:
- Check echs.gov.in — the Empanelled Hospitals section lists approved hospitals by state/country.
- Contact ECHS Polyclinic Pokhara — the polyclinic maintains an updated list of empanelled hospitals in the region.
- Ask the hospital directly — request to see the current ECHS empanelment certificate or agreement number.
- Embassy of India Defence Wing, Kathmandu — can confirm empanelment status for Nepal-based hospitals.
Always verify before attending for planned treatment. Empanelment status can change at short notice.
What Should You Do If There Is No Empanelled Hospital Near You?
If no empanelled hospital is accessible for non-emergency treatment, consult the ECHS polyclinic for guidance. They may provide a referral to the nearest empanelled hospital even if it involves travel. For genuine emergencies, go to the nearest available hospital and document everything for reimbursement.
Practical steps for remote or underserved areas:
- Contact the ECHS Polyclinic Pokhara — they can advise on the appropriate referral pathway.
- In some cases, ECHS can sanction treatment at a non-empanelled hospital with prior approval — this is exceptional and must be arranged in advance.
- For veterans in remote hill districts, travel to Pokhara for planned specialist care at an empanelled hospital is often the most practical solution. A & B International Hospital covers a wide range of specialties, minimising the need for further travel.
Access Cashless ECHS Care at A & B International Hospital Pokhara
For Gorkha veterans in the Gandaki Province and western Nepal, A & B International Hospital is the accessible, empanelled choice for specialist care. Our location at Bindhyaabasini, Pokhara-02 makes us easily reachable from all major western Nepal districts.
A & B International Hospital
Bindhyaabasini, Pokhara-02, Kaski, Nepal
Phone: +977 061-412512
Website: abinthospital.com
Emergency: 24 hours, 7 days
Bring your ECHS Smart Card and referral from the polyclinic. Cashless, specialist care is waiting for you.
