Kathmandu, July 4 -- She was at a loss for words when doctors at Nepal Mental Hospital said it was the last chance for her husband to make a choice between life and alcohol.

Her husband needed immediate in-patient care.

Doctors said the man suffered from alcohol dependence syndrome, a serious mental health problem in which patients become psychologically and physically dependent on alcohol.

"But I was told the hospital could not accommodate him," Bimala, who wished to be identified by her first name only, told the Post on Wednesday morning.

Nepal Mental Hospital, the central level hospital for mental health problems, is almost always crowded. It has only 50 beds, and families of the patients from across the country in need of immediat...