The Department of Hepatology at Bir Hospital holds the distinction of being the oldest and the only dedicated hepatology department in Nepal. Its foundation was laid in the early 1980s with the establishment of the Liver Unit by Dr. Santosh Man Shrestha, a visionary in liver medicine who recognized the urgent need for specialized liver care in the country. This initiative marked the beginning of structured hepatology services in Nepal at a time when awareness and resources for liver diseases were extremely limited.

In the subsequent decades, the Liver Unit evolved both in capacity and expertise. A key turning point in its development was the introduction of Interventional Hepatology by Dr. Sudhamshu K.C., who trained under globally acclaimed hepatologist Professor Kunio Okuda in Japan. Dr. K.C. brought with him advanced diagnostic and therapeutic techniques such as percutaneous liver biopsies, variceal therapies, and non-surgical interventions for portal hypertension, thus modernizing liver care in Nepal. His efforts paved the way for minimally invasive management of complex liver conditions, transforming the Liver Unit into a national referral center for hepatology.

In recognition of its expanding services, research output, and academic involvement, the Liver Unit was formally upgraded to the Department of Hepatology in 2024 under the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS). This transition marked a significant milestone in the institutionalization of liver health services in Nepal.

The department currently provides comprehensive care for a wide spectrum of liver, biliary, and portal vascular diseases, including hepatitis B and C, liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, autoimmune liver diseases, and metabolic liver disorders. It is equipped with:

A dedicated 22-bed Hepatology ward providing inpatient services with round-the-clock monitoring and care by trained medical and nursing staff.

A dedicated 8-bed Hepatology Intensive Care Unit (ICU) established in 2025, catering to critically ill patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), hepatic encephalopathy, and other life-threatening liver-related complications.

In addition to its clinical services, the Department of Hepatology is a leading academic unit in Nepal. It has been actively involved in the training of MD Internal Medicine residents, offering them rich clinical exposure and academic guidance in hepatology. Recognizing the national need for highly specialized liver care, the department launched the Doctorate of Medicine (DM) in Hepatology program in 2013—the first and only program of its kind in the country. Since its inception, the DM program has produced a growing number of well-trained hepatologists who are now serving in various parts of Nepal, strengthening liver care across the healthcare system.

The department also has a strong research culture, with faculty and trainees contributing over a hundred publications in national and international medical journals. Areas of research have included viral hepatitis, cirrhosis management, liver cancer, and outcomes of interventional procedures, contributing to the global understanding of liver disease in South Asia.

With its deep-rooted history, continued innovation, and commitment to excellence in patient care, education, and research, the Department of Hepatology at Bir Hospital remains a national leader and a symbol of progress in the field of liver health in Nepal

Services

IPD

OPD

Liver related procedures (Eg liver biopsy, abscess drainaige etc)

Interventional Hepatology (Eg Trans areterial chemo embolization, partial splenic embolization etc)

Hepatobiliary USG

Upper GI endoscopy and related procedures (Eg biopsy, variceal ligation, glue injection)

Diagnostic and therapeutic EUS

OPD Days

Prof.Dr. Sudhamshu K.C

Prof.Dr. Dilip Sharma

Dr. Niyanta Devi Karki

Assoc.Prof. Dr. Bikash Jaishi

Dr. Sushil Prajapati