Government Decision Ends Political Appointments in Health Sector

Kathmandu. The government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah has taken a decision to break the web of political quota that has gripped the country's health, medical, and science sectors. 

Following the Cabinet's recommendation, President Ram Chandra Paudel issued the 'Special Arrangement Ordinance on Dismissal of Public Office Bearers, 2083', which has simultaneously removed hundreds of politically appointed office bearers from various important bodies in the health sector. 

With the implementation of this ordinance, a total of 1,594 office bearers across the country have been dismissed, with a large portion of them from the health and medical sectors.

With the implementation of this ordinance, 6 office bearers including the Registrar and members of the Ayurveda Medical Council, and 9 office bearers of the Nepal Health Research Council have been dismissed. Similarly, 5 office bearers of the Veterinary Health and Livestock Services Professional Council and 8 office bearers of the Nepal Nursing Council have also been removed. 

The positions of 5 office bearers of the Nepal Health Professionals Council, 7 of the Nepal Pharmacy Council, and 8 of the Nepal Medical Council have also become vacant. These key bodies that formulate and regulate health sector policies will now await new and expert leadership.

This decision has also brought about significant changes in major institutions for treatment services and academic fields. The Vice-Chancellor and 15 other office bearers of BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, 10 from BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur, and 8 from Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre have been dismissed. 

The positions of 22 office bearers of the National Medical Sciences Institute (NAMS), 33 of Patan Academy of Health Sciences, 34 of Karnali Academy of Health Sciences, 31 of Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences, and 31 of Rapti Academy of Health Sciences have also become vacant simultaneously. 

Similarly, the government has performed a major surgery in sensitive areas such as the National Medical Education Commission and Health Insurance. The positions of 16 office bearers of the National Medical Education Commission and 7 of the Health Insurance Board have also been revoked. 

The positions of 5 members of the Committee for Control of Sale and Distribution of Breast-Milk Substitutes and 6 members as per the Public Health Act will also be vacated. New universities related to education and health have also been directly affected, with 42 office bearers of Vidushi Yogmaya Himalayan Ayurved University and 29 of Shahid Dashrath Chand Health Sciences University being dismissed.