Kathmandu, October 20
The government has decided to form task forces in all seven provinces to address the problems related to nurses’ salaries and benefits.
The decision was made during a late-night meeting on Sunday of the committee led by Dr Shreekrishna Shrestha, additional secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population.
Formed through a ministerial decision by Prime Minister and Health Minister Sushila Karki, the committee has been instructed to submit a report with short-term and long-term recommendations within seven days to resolve issues concerning nurses’ working conditions, facilities, and other grievances.
According to ministry spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki, each task force will be coordinated by the Nepal Nursing Association and include representatives from the provincial health ministry, district administration office, and protesting nurses. These task forces will conduct field visits and submit reports with recommendations.
“The task forces will monitor and supervise efforts to ensure a safe return to work for nurses and guarantee their rightful benefits,” Dr Budhathoki told Onlinekhabar. He added that the task forces will coordinate their work with the central committee led by Dr Shrestha.
The committee’s first meeting decided to carry out research and coordination virtually during the Tihar and Chhath holidays. Its second meeting has been scheduled for Kartik 9 at 11 am, where representatives from the Nepal Medical and Dental College Association and private hospital operators have been summoned for mandatory participation. On Sunday, representatives of private medical institutions walked out of the meeting, alleging they were treated disrespectfully.
Dr Budhathoki said that the final report would incorporate discussions with the private sector and address their concerns. “Private representatives raised their own demands. The committee will study their feasibility and prepare the report accordingly,” he said.
The report will be submitted to the Cabinet through the Health Ministry, which will then deliberate on it and make necessary decisions.
