Government plans to increase medicos' salaries

Kathmandu, March 4 — The government is preparing to increase the salaries of doctors and nurses.

Health and Population Minister Pradeep Paudel informed that the government is moving forward with increasing the remuneration for doctors and nurses as per the provisions of the Labor Act. 

Speaking at an event on Tuesday in Kathmandu to mark the 75th anniversary of the Nepal Medical Association, he stated that the government is working on raising the salaries for both government and private sector doctors and nurses.

Minister Paudel expressed confidence that if doctors' daily living conditions improve, the trend of medical professionals migrating abroad would decrease.

He emphasized that the government is taking legal steps to ensure doctors can work without undue pressure.

He further stated, “Salaries will be increased in both government and private sectors, but the current remuneration is insufficient. At a minimum, we must provide the minimum wage for skilled manpower as per the Labor Act," he said.

"We are moving forward with strict enforcement of this. The amounts specified by the Labor Act are still not enough," Paudel further stated.

"A nurse cannot survive on a salary of 22,000, nor can a doctor survive on 48,000. If we can at least ensure they can cover basic living expenses, the trend of going abroad could stop,” he added.

Minister Paudel also claimed that Nepal’s medical education has gained global credibility.