Kathmandu – Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel has indicated that the government is preparing to integrate health services into the Federal Civil Service Act.

Speaking at a press conference organized to mark his one-year tenure as Health Minister, Paudel said discussions are underway to bring health services under the broader civil service structure. “There’s an ongoing debate about aligning health services with the Federal Civil Service Act,” he noted.

While health services are categorized as specialized, the minister acknowledged that salaries and benefits currently do not reflect that distinction. “Even if merged under civil service, the facilities and allowances must be aligned with the sensitivity and demands of the health sector,” he added.

However, there is no consensus within the health sector regarding this move. Some professional bodies support inclusion under the civil service system for better regulation and uniformity, while others argue that a separate Health Services Act is essential to address the sector’s unique challenges.

This development comes at a time when broader reforms are being discussed to strengthen governance and efficiency across Nepal’s public service sectors.