Opinion | Rethinking health workforce mobilisation
Summary
Nepal faces significant challenges in managing its health workforce due to outdated laws and federalism, leading to shortages exacerbated by migration and rural retention issues. A comprehensive HRH mobilisation policy aligned with federal governance is urgently needed to ensure equitable distribution, training, and retention across all government levels.
Key Points
- Nepal's health workforce management is fragmented and ineffective due to outdated legal frameworks and federal governance challenges.
- There is an acute shortage of health workers in Nepal, with an urgent need to triple the current workforce to meet WHO recommendations by 2030.
- International migration and poor working conditions contribute significantly to the shortage of doctors, nurses, and paramedics in Nepal.
- The 'One Municipality, One Public Health Officer' program aims to strengthen local health governance but requires permanent positions for long-term sustainability.
