On a bright Monday morning in Lalitpur’s Chapagaun Dobato, the fifth branch of Om Samaj Dental Hospital officially opened its doors. With this new establishment, thousands of residents in Lalitpur and nearby areas now have access to more convenient and reliable dental health services.
Before this, the hospital had already been serving patients in Chabahil, Naikap, and Baneshwor-Banasthali within Kathmandu Valley, as well as in Bardibas, Mahottari District of the Madhesh Province. The expansion into Lalitpur is therefore not just about geographical growth but also about fulfilling a larger mission: making oral healthcare accessible, affordable, and trusted for Nepalese citizens.
The inauguration was presided over by the hospital’s founder and senior dental surgeon Dr. Subash Ghimire, with Mr. Mohan Niraula, President of the Film Artists’ Association of Nepal, attending as the chief guest. The event was coordinated by social activist and journalist Rajan Thapa, together with board members of the hospital.
The ceremony, far from being a mere formality, became a platform for promoting awareness of oral health, honoring social activists and media professionals, and spreading the message that healthcare is a shared responsibility of doctors, communities, and society at large.
The Event: A Celebration of Health and Service
The inauguration ceremony was marked by both its vibrancy and its inclusiveness. To make the occasion meaningful for the general public, the hospital offered free dental check-ups and consultation services. This symbolic yet practical gesture showed that Om Samaj Dental Hospital was not opening its new branch merely as a business, but as a service-oriented institution committed to improving people’s lives.
The event also brought together individuals from multiple walks of life—healthcare professionals, social workers, cultural figures, and journalists. This mix of participants highlighted the belief that healthcare is not only a technical field but a social responsibility involving every sector.
Honoring Social Activists: Acknowledging Service to Society
During the ceremony, a number of social activists and community leaders were honored for their selfless contributions to society. Among them were:
Gopi Karki – a social activist with a strong record of community engagement.
Kalpana Chapagai – founder of Manavsewa Ashram, a shelter for marginalized people.
Mina Basnet – President of Manjushree Helpless Protection, working for vulnerable groups.
Yamuna K.C. – President of Rolpali Cheli Foundation, dedicated to empowering women.
Baby Rajbhandari – Central President of the National Women’s Forum and coordinator of the Godavari River Cleanliness Campaign.
By honoring them, the hospital made a powerful statement: healthcare and social work are inseparable. Only when communities are uplifted and individuals are empowered can society achieve genuine health.
Honoring Journalists: The Voice of Awareness
The organizers also honored a large group of journalists and media professionals, acknowledging their tireless efforts in raising awareness in health, education, and social reform. The list included:
D.B. Parajuli
Ram Bahadur Singh
Saraswati Kafle
Rajkumar Humagai
Jayaram Bidari
Nandalal Kharel
Shantideep Regmi
Dhanesh Sarki
Santosh Pant
Dinesh Karki
Dinesh Lamichhane
Ami Kattel
Samjhana Pradhan
Santosh Tiwari
Sanukaji Thapa
Dhak Bahadur Shrestha
Anant K.C.
Sujan Budhathoki
The hospital emphasized that honoring journalists was not just about recognition but also about encouraging positive storytelling in society. Journalists play a crucial role in spreading messages of health, education, and social change. By recognizing them, Om Samaj Dental Hospital reinforced the idea that awareness is as vital as treatment.
Dr. Subash Ghimire’s Vision: Health Beyond Medicine
In his keynote speech, Dr. Subash Ghimire presented oral health as inseparably linked to the overall health of the human body. He remarked:
“Only when the teeth are clean, the mind and lifestyle can also be clean. Oral health cannot be dismissed as a minor matter.”
He elaborated that healthcare is not limited to medical treatment. It is about inspiring people to live healthier lives, shaping their thinking, and improving communities. His words reflected both the philosophy of preventive health and the philosophy of social responsibility.
One of his most memorable points was about the power of stories:
“Human beings have the tradition of creating stories and narrating them. The ability to use those stories for life and society is the most important thing. Opening a hospital is not just about being a doctor; it is about changing thoughts, perspectives, and the society itself.”
Through this, Dr. Ghimire highlighted that healthcare institutions must aim higher than treatment—they must inspire, educate, and transform.
Mohan Niraula’s Remarks: A Cultural Perspective
Chief guest Mohan Niraula, a respected actor and President of the Film Artists’ Association, emphasized how initiatives like Om Samaj Dental Hospital strengthen the relationship between communities and healthcare providers. He said:
“This hospital has been delivering effective services with modern technology and skilled professionals. Such initiatives that link healthcare with communities are exemplary for society.”
Niraula’s perspective was unique because it came from the cultural field rather than medicine. It underlined how healthcare and culture are intertwined—both contribute to human well-being, both inspire hope, and both require dedication.
The Deeper Message: What Health Really Means
One of the most profound aspects of the event was Dr. Ghimire’s philosophical explanation of health. He went beyond the technicalities of dentistry and talked about life, responsibility, and discipline:
“If we say heaven is beautiful, then we must learn to see Nepal itself as heaven. Every citizen has entrusted me with responsibility, and I must fulfill it. Doctors must carry the thought of how to make society healthier, not just individuals.”
He reminded the audience that brushing alone does not guarantee oral health. Instead, the whole body must be kept clean and disciplined. He argued that doctors cannot directly save lives if patients do not take responsibility for their bodies. True health comes from a balance of lifestyle, prevention, and awareness.
According to him, there are four essential elements for a healthy life:
- Regular yoga – to balance mind and body.
- Controlled diet – to prevent disease and maintain oral health.
- The power of speech – as words reflect discipline and inner health.
- Care and maintenance – consistent oral hygiene and personal discipline.
This holistic view positioned oral health as a gateway to total wellbeing.
Oral Health in Nepal: The Bigger Picture
The event also sheds light on Nepal’s larger oral healthcare landscape. For decades, dental health has been under-prioritized.
In rural areas, dental facilities are scarce, and people often rely on home remedies or unscientific practices.
In urban areas, modern services exist, but high costs prevent many families from seeking proper treatment.
Preventive dental care is not part of the cultural norm, and regular check-ups are rare.
In this scenario, institutions like Om Samaj Dental Hospital provide affordable, accessible, and awareness-driven services. Their role is not limited to treating patients but also includes educating communities and creating a culture of preventive care.
The Broader Social Impact
The inauguration of the Chapagaun branch carries implications beyond healthcare. By integrating community leaders, cultural figures, and journalists into the program, the hospital highlighted the social dimension of health.
Social activists represent the grassroots force that fights daily for people’s rights and dignity.
Journalists act as narrators, spreading awareness and shaping collective thinking.
Doctors provide expertise, treating individuals and guiding public health strategies.
By bringing these three groups together, Om Samaj Dental Hospital demonstrated that health is a collective mission—a synergy of service, awareness, and expertise.
Challenges Ahead: What More Needs to Be Done
The opening of the fifth branch is a significant achievement, but it is also just a beginning. Nepal still faces pressing challenges in oral health:
Extending services to remote areas where dental clinics are nonexistent.
Running mass awareness campaigns to change the perception of dental care.
Building public-private partnerships so that government resources and private efficiency can complement each other.
Training more skilled professionals to serve in villages and towns.
The vision of Dr. Ghimire and the spirit of Om Samaj Dental Hospital suggest that these challenges can be addressed through commitment, expansion, and collaboration.
Conclusion: A Symbol of Hope and Transformation
The inauguration of Om Samaj Dental Hospital’s fifth branch in Chapagaun is far more than the opening of another clinic. It symbolizes:
Service – by offering free check-ups and consultations.
Recognition – by honoring activists and journalists.
Vision – by promoting oral health as the foundation of overall wellbeing.
Transformation – by framing healthcare as a story of societal progress.
For Nepal, where oral healthcare is often neglected, such initiatives shine as beacons of possibility. They remind us that health is not only about treatment but about awareness, lifestyle, community, and shared responsibility.
As Dr. Ghimire said: “Clean teeth mean a clean mind. And a clean mind leads to a better society.”
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