Emergency Medical Care in Kathmandu — Ambulance, 24/7 Hospitals & Evacuation
Call 102 (Ambulance) immediately or take a taxi directly to the nearest 24/7 emergency room — CIWEC Hospital in Lazimpat is 5 minutes from Thamel. For non-critical urgent care during 08:00–20:00 NPT, walk straight into Thamel Clinic on Chaksibari Marg or message WhatsApp +977-9747726036.
Go Straight to a Hospital ER — Not a Walk-In Clinic — If You Have:
- Chest pain, crushing pressure, or pain radiating to arm/jaw
- Severe difficulty breathing, blue lips, or resting SpO2 below 85%
- Loss of consciousness, seizure, confusion, or signs of stroke (face droop, arm weakness, slurred speech)
- Severe trauma, deep wounds with uncontrolled bleeding, or suspected fracture with deformity
- Anaphylaxis — lip/tongue/throat swelling or wheezing after food, medication, or sting
- Suspected HAPE/HACE: breathlessness at rest, gurgling chest, ataxia (cannot walk heel-to-toe) after altitude exposure
Nepal Emergency Numbers (Save These in Your Phone)
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ambulance (Nepal) | 102 | Free government ambulance dispatch, Kathmandu Valley |
| Police Control | 100 | National police emergency line |
| Fire Brigade | 101 | Kathmandu Metropolitan fire & rescue |
| Tourist Police (Thamel) | +977-1-4247041 | English-speaking tourist assistance unit |
| Nepal Tourism Board Hotline | 1144 | 24/7 tourist helpline (within Nepal) |
| Thamel Clinic Reception | +977-9747726036 | Non-critical urgent care, 08:00–20:00 NPT |
Nearest 24/7 Emergency Hospitals to Thamel
| Hospital & ER Capabilities | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| CIWEC Hospital (24/7 Emergency & Inpatient) Kapurdhara Marg, Lazimpat, Kathmandu | 1.1 km from Thamel (5 min taxi) | +977-1-4524111 |
| Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH Emergency) Maharajgunj Road, Kathmandu | 2.8 km North (Maharajgunj) | +977-1-4512303 |
| Norvic International Hospital (24/7 Cardiac & Trauma ER) Thapathali, Kathmandu | 3.2 km South (Thapathali) | +977-1-5970032 |
| Grande International Hospital (24/7 Helipad & ICU) Tokha Road, Dhapasi, Kathmandu | 6.5 km North (Dhapasi) | +977-1-5159266 |
After-Hours & Helicopter Evacuation Guidance
- After 20:00 NPT: For emergencies go directly to a 24/7 ER above. For non-critical issues that can wait until morning, message us on WhatsApp — reception confirms slots from 07:30 NPT.
- Helicopter rescue from the mountains: Contact your travel insurer's 24/7 assistance line first — they activate helicopter dispatch through Kathmandu-based operators. Carry your policy number and passport copy.
- Post-evacuation medical report: Once stable in Kathmandu, visit us for the clinical evaluation and ICD-10 report your insurer requires for evacuation reimbursement.
- Rabies exposure (animal bite/scratch): Urgent but rarely an ER case — wash the wound 15 minutes under running water with soap, then come to us for Day-0 vaccine within hours.
When Seconds Matter
The emergency in Kathmandu is different from the emergency at home — the ambulance system is slower, the hospital navigation is unfamiliar, and the insurance coordination is required. The traveler's emergency protocol is not just "call 911" — it is knowing which number, which facility, and which coordination produces the fastest appropriate care.
Go to hospital emergency if:
- Chest pain, difficulty breathing — potential cardiac/respiratory emergency
- Severe trauma, unconsciousness — immediate stabilization needed
- Severe bleeding that will not stop — surgical intervention may be required
- Stroke symptoms (FAST: face, arm, speech, time) — the window is minutes
- Severe allergic reaction — airway compromise is fatal
The Clinic's Emergency Role
For urgent but not immediately life-threatening conditions, the clinic provides faster care than hospital emergency departments — the 5-minute wait versus the hours, the travel-medicine expertise versus the general emergency response, and the coordination with hospitals when escalation is needed. The emergency is the boundary; the urgent is our specialty.
The Nepal Number
Nepal emergency numbers — the police 100, the ambulance 102, the fire 101, and the tourist police 1144. For the emergency, the number that is called.
The Clinic
For the medical emergency — the clinic that is contacted, the 24/7 availability that is provided, and the coordination that is done.
The Emergency Cost
Emergency care cost — the ER visit, the admission, the procedure that varies (the insurance that is critical). For the emergency, the coverage that is verified.
The Deposit
Emergency deposit — the upfront that may be required (the private hospital that asks). For the uninsured, the guarantee or the payment that is arranged.
The Deposit Reality
Emergency deposit — the private-hospital upfront (the GOP that replaces when authorized). For the admission, the coordination that matters.
The Ambulance Cost
Ambulance fee — the ~$20-80 Kathmandu (the 102 that is called). For the transport, the modest that is priced.
The Deposit Reality
Emergency deposit — the hospital ~$500-2,000 (the admission that is demanded). For the insured, the GOP-secured that is the path.
The Clinic Path
Clinic emergency — the ~$40-150 (the stabilized that is the outpatient). For the appropriate-level, the cheaper that is the triaged.
What is the emergency number in Nepal?
Police: 100, Ambulance: 102, Fire: 101, Tourist Police: 1144. For medical emergencies, your travel insurance emergency line and Thamel Clinic (+977-9747726036) are often faster than public services — we coordinate directly with hospitals and evacuation providers.
When should I go to the emergency department vs the clinic?
Emergency department for: chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe trauma, loss of consciousness, suspected stroke/heart attack, severe bleeding that will not stop, severe allergic reaction. Clinic for: illness, minor injuries, urgent but non-life-threatening conditions. When uncertain, the emergency department errs on safety.
What are the best hospitals for emergencies in Kathmandu?
Grande International Hospital (international-standard emergency care), Norvic International Hospital, Kathmandu Medical College, and Teaching Hospital (Maharajgunj). For trauma and critical care, Grande and Norvic are preferred. For specific specialties, the referral depends on the condition.
How do I activate medical evacuation?
Call your travel insurance emergency line — they coordinate with assistance companies and helicopter providers. Have your policy number, location (GPS if possible), and patient condition ready. The insurance company's emergency coordination is the dispatch mechanism for mountain rescue.
What should I do first in a medical emergency?
Assess immediate threats (breathing, bleeding, consciousness), call for help (clinic number, insurance emergency line, or hospital), provide first aid as you are able, and prepare for transport (documents, insurance info, essential medications). The first minutes' actions determine the outcome more than the subsequent hours.
