What nurses taught me that Nepal has forgotten
Summary
Nepali nurses face a critical workforce shortage amid low pay and poor working conditions, despite their vital role highlighted during the pandemic. The recent appointment of a nurse as Health Minister offers hope for structural reforms to recognize and support nurses properly.
Key Points
- Nurses are the structural backbone of healthcare, critical for patient outcomes but remain undervalued in Nepal.
- Nepal has a shortfall of approximately 15,000 nurses, compounded by the emigration of 25,000 registered nurses.
- Low salaries, insecure contracts, and poor work conditions drive nurses abroad, highlighting a systemic neglect rather than a brain drain.
- The appointment of nurse Nisha Mehta as Health Minister in 2026 marks a symbolic opportunity for meaningful reform in nursing policy and workforce conditions.
