Kathmandu, March 27 -- Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre said it will continue free treatment for all underprivileged children under 15 years of age suffering from cardiac ailments, with the hospital board committing to ensuring treatment for all needy patients.

According to the hospital administration, a board meeting headed by Health Minister Pradip Paudel on Wednesday decided to form a committee to explore resources to ensure free cardiac treatment for children from poor families.

"We have been providing free treatment for children under 15 years of age from the budget the government has been allocating to the hospital," said Dr Ravi Malla, director at the hospital. "But the number of patients requiring valve replacement surgerie...