Performance Agreements for Public Health Institutions Remain Formalities
Summary
Performance agreements in Nepal’s public health institutions are being criticized as little more than paperwork, while patients continue to face long queues, delayed treatment, poor cleanliness, and broken or unused equipment in federal hospitals. Health officials say stronger monitoring, transparency, and on-site review are needed to make the agreements meaningful.
Key Points
- Performance agreements signed by the Ministry of Health and federal hospitals are meant to improve accountability, governance, and service delivery, but implementation and monitoring remain weak.
- Patients in government and federal hospitals still face long waits, delayed surgeries, poor hygiene, staffing gaps, and malfunctioning equipment.
- Former Additional Secretary Mahendra Shrestha said the agreements should be public, measurable, and reported regularly to service recipients.
- Minister Nisha Mehta has signed performance agreements with the prime minister, ministry leadership, hospital heads, and health science institute vice-chancellors for fiscal year 2083/084.
