KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Population has instructed all health institutions across the country to ensure that the salaries, services, and benefits provided to health workers are aligned with government standards.
According to Ministry spokesperson Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, a circular has already been issued to all government hospitals, medical colleges, as well as community and private hospitals, requiring them to pay nurses and other health professionals salaries equivalent to those offered in government facilities.
The Ministry reissued the directive after finding that several institutions had failed to comply with the earlier instruction.
The move comes amid growing discontent among nurses at Pokhara-based Manipal Teaching Hospital, who have been protesting for wages consistent with government-determined pay scales.
Dr. Budhathoki added that the Ministry has also directed hospitals to provide additional allowances to employees working overtime. “Institutions have been reminded not to retain the original educational certificates of their employees and not to hire staff on daily-wage contracts,” he said.
The circular further emphasizes that all health institutions must adopt a banking system for the payment of salaries to ensure transparency and accountability.
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