Bir Hospital Faces Staffing Shortage Despite Sanctioned High-Level Position

Kathmandu. Despite having a sanctioned post for the 12th level (Additional Secretary) at the country's oldest government hospital, Bir Hospital, the Ministry of Health and Population has not yet been able to send staff. There is a provision for four Additional Secretaries under the Ministry of Health. One is supposed to be in the Health Services Department, one at Bir Hospital, and two within the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry created a pool vacancy at Bir Hospital when it was designated as the COVID-19 Unified Hospital. In 2078 BS, the Council of Ministers decided to create a pool vacancy for one 12th-level post of Chief Specialist from the Ministry of Health or its subordinate bodies and assign it to Bir Hospital. However, even with the Additional Secretary vacancy at Bir, 12th-level employees have been reluctant to go.

Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, spokesperson and Deputy Director of Bir Hospital, stated that having an Additional Secretary lead the hospital would facilitate management and coordination. Dr. Budhathoki said, 'There are about 20-21 employees at the 11th level at Bir Hospital. If a 12th-level employee comes, it would be easier in terms of staff management and coordination.'

Instead of sending anyone to the 12th-level post at Bir, the Ministry of Health has been recommending the appointment of a physician from a lower rank than Additional Secretary to the director position where the 12th-level vacancy exists.

Currently, among the four Additional Secretaries in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Shri Krishna Shrestha is one. Additional Secretary Dr. Sangita Kaushal Mishra has been acquitted. Similarly, Director General of the Health Services Department, Keshab Bahadur Dhakal, has gone on mandatory retirement. Another person has been recommended for promotion, but the Council of Ministers has not yet made a decision. Although the promotion committee recommended two names on Jestha 19, the provision is to promote one person by the Council of Ministers.

The promotion committee meeting held at the Ministry of Health and Population recommended the names of Dr. Sudha Devkota and Dr. Vinodbindu Sharma. Although one of Dr. Devkota and Sharma is to be promoted to one of the vacant 12th-level positions, the Council of Ministers has not yet made a decision.

As a result, the Health Services Department is being run on an acting basis for the Director General. Even though the Council of Ministers has met, a decision has not yet been made regarding this matter.