Ministry of Health Advances Structural Reforms, Establishes New Centers
Summary
The Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene is moving ahead with structural reforms, including plans to establish a disease control center, a health accreditation authority and a food and drug authority. It is also seeking to ease staffing shortages, speed up hospital construction and expand health services in tourist and Himalayan areas.
Key Points
- The Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene is advancing structural reforms in Nepal’s health sector.
- Plans are underway to establish a Center for Disease Control, a Health Accreditation Authority and a Food and Drug Authority.
- The ministry says it needs far more health workers and is seeking to fill 1,808 vacancies within two months, with more posts planned.
- Construction of 5-, 10- and 15-bed hospitals has progressed slowly, while new plans include an Ayurveda Institute and expanded health tourism services.
