Kathmandu, June 18: The first ever coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) commonly known as bypass surgery was successfully performed at Bir Hospital today.

The surgery was performed on 68 years old Gyanu Sharma of Dillibazaar by a team of doctors led by cardiothorasic and vascular surgeon Dr. Damodar Prasad Pokherel.

Talking to RSS reporter on completion of the eight-hour surgery, Dr. Pokherel, the only Nepalese surgeon who can perform such a bypass surgery, said since the martyr Ganga Lal Heart Centre is already equipped with a cath lab which is essential to prepare an angio-cardiography for bypass surgery, such a surgery can now be performed regularly in Nepal.

With the initiation of such a facility in Nepal, Nepalese heart patients can now undergo a bypass surgery in the country itself by paying about 70 percent less than what they have to pay for the same surgery in India, Dr Pokhrel who is also executive director of Gangalal Heart Center said. The cost of bypass surgery in Nepal is about Rs. 150,000.

Health Minister Dr Ram Baran Yadav, and RSS reporter and an NTV cameraman observed the bypass surgery at the operation theatre in bir hospital today.

Talking to RSS reporter, director of Bir Hospital Dr. Ram Prasad Shrestha expressed happiness that Bir Hospital has been successful in providing specialist service. The hospital, which has not charged operation fee so far, plans to charge those who can afford some amount as operation fee in the future in order to make the service sustainable.