Two decades without new health staff; patients suffer in public hospitals
Summary
Government health institutions in Nepal face severe staff shortages due to outdated staffing structures and lack of new permanent positions, leading to delays and increased costs for patients in public hospitals.
Key Points
- Government health institutions in Nepal have not created new permanent health staff positions in two decades, leading to service delivery challenges.
- Bir Hospital and other major government hospitals face significant staff shortages, with many positions unfilled and reliance on contract workers.
- Nepal's current health worker ratio is far below WHO standards, and despite proposed expansions, budget and administrative challenges stall recruitment.
- Migration of health professionals abroad exacerbates the staffing crisis, and experts urge the government to prioritize and effectively manage health workforce expansion.
