KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Population has directed private medical and dental colleges as well as hospitals to ensure minimum salaries and service facilities for nurses and other health workers.
The Policy, Planning and Monitoring Division under the ministry recently issued a letter to the Association of Private Health Institutions of Nepal and the Nepal Medical and Dental College Association, urging them to implement an agreement reached with stakeholders on November 1.
According to the ministry, complaints were received that some institutions have not implemented the agreement despite commitments to provide minimum salaries and benefits.
As per the agreement, private medical colleges must provide nurses and other health workers working in their teaching hospitals with at least the starting salary equivalent to the fifth-level pay scale of the Government of Nepal, currently set at Rs 34,730, effective from mid-November.
Similarly, other private and community hospitals as well as dental colleges are required to provide at least 80 percent of the same salary scale, according to the agreement.
The ministry warned that necessary action will be taken against institutions found failing to implement the agreed provisions. It has also urged the concerned bodies to monitor and ensure compliance with the agreement.
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