For Teaching Hospitals under Tribhuvan University
1. Rationale
Senior citizens—especially pensioners contributing monthly—face:
- long queues
- fragmented care
- lack of priority services
This undermines both equity and institutional credibility.
A university teaching hospital must model dignified, inclusive care.
2. Objective
To ensure accessible, respectful, and priority healthcare services for senior citizens (60+) through a standardized protocol across TU-affiliated hospitals.
3. Core Components of SCCP
3.1 Priority Access System (Immediate Implementation)
- Separate registration counters for 60+
- Dedicated queue lanes in OPD, lab, and pharmacy
- Fast-track tokens (distinct color or digital tag)
Timeline: 2–4 weeks
Cost: Minimal (process redesign)
3.2 Senior Citizen Health Card (SCHC)
- Issued to:
- Pensioners
- Citizens aged 60+
Benefits:
- Priority service access
- Discounted consultation/lab fees (where feasible)
- Digital tracking of patient history
Can be linked to existing hospital ID system
3.3 Geriatric Care Unit (Phased)
Establish a dedicated geriatric OPD with:
- Weekly specialized clinics
- Integrated care:
- chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension)
- mobility issues
- mental health
- Phase 1: Designated OPD hours
Phase 2: Dedicated unit
3.4 Assisted Care & Navigation Desk
- Volunteers / nursing interns assigned to:
- guide elderly patients
- assist in paperwork and movement
Also serves as a training opportunity for students
3.5 Pensioner Service Entitlement Framework
For those with monthly deductions:
Define clear entitlements, such as:
- guaranteed same-day consultation (OPD)
- reduced waiting time (target: <30 minutes)
- annual health check-up package
Publish as a “Pensioner Service Charter”
4. Digital & Process Innovation
- Token-based queue management system
- SMS alerts for appointment timing
- Simple EHR tagging: “Senior Citizen / Pensioner”
Aligned with Nepal’s Digital Health vision
5. Governance & Accountability
5.1 SCCP Oversight Committee
At hospital level:
- Medical director
- Nursing head
- Admin officer
- Patient representative (optional but powerful)
5.2 Monitoring Indicators
- Average waiting time for senior citizens
- Number of senior patients served daily
- Patient satisfaction scores
5.3 Annual Public Report
- Service delivery to pensioners
- Improvements made
Builds trust and transparency
6. Financial Model
Low-cost, high-impact:
- Immediate steps: process-based (no major funding needed)
- Medium-term:
- Cross-subsidy from private services
- Government support for geriatric care
- CSR / donor partnerships
7. Implementation Roadmap
Phase 1 (0–3 months)
- Separate queues
- Health card rollout
- Navigation desk
Phase 2 (3–9 months)
- Geriatric OPD clinics
- Digital queue system
Phase 3 (9–24 months)
- Full geriatric unit
- Integrated research and training
8. Academic Integration (Unique TU Advantage)
Leverage teaching hospital status:
- Introduce geriatric care modules for medical and nursing students
- Encourage research on aging in Nepal
- Pilot AI-assisted elderly care systems (aligned with your broader vision)
9. Expected Outcomes
- Reduced waiting time for elderly patients
- Improved patient satisfaction and dignity
- Better chronic disease management
- Enhanced institutional reputation
10. Strategic Significance
This protocol can become:
- A national model for public hospitals
- A foundation for declaring TU institutions as Institutions of National Importance
- A visible example of citizen-centric governance reform
Closing Note
This is not a high-cost reform—it is a high-impact governance correction.
If a teaching hospital cannot ensure dignity for its elderly, it cannot claim excellence.