Kathmandu – The Federal Civil Service Bill, currently under review in the National Assembly, has drawn significant attention after 43 lawmakers submitted 193 amendment proposals, many of which call for the inclusion of Nepal Health Services under the federal civil service structure.

The bill, which was passed by the House of Representatives and has now reached the National Assembly, has sparked political and professional debate, especially concerning the future of health service personnel in the civil service system.

Among the proposed amendments, lawmakers have suggested:

Including Nepal Health Services as part of the definition of civil service personnel in Clause 2 of the bill

Adding Nepal Health Services explicitly in Clause 5, which outlines service categories

Replacing general terms like “civil servants in the grade” with “civil servants in the grade and level, including health service employees”

Amending provisions related to career progression, such as promoting employees from the 12th level to 13th level, and those with more than five years of service in the 11th level to the 12th level

This development marks a formal entry of health service-related issues into the civil service legislation, following years of debate on whether Nepal’s health service should be governed by a separate act or integrated into the broader civil service law.

Even within the health sector, there is no unified stance. Some institutions advocate for health services to remain under the civil service umbrella for consistency, while others argue that the sensitive and specialized nature of healthcare warrants a standalone health service act.

At a recent press conference held to mark his one year in office, Health Minister Pradip Paudel acknowledged that discussions are ongoing about integrating health services into the civil service. He noted that while the Nepal Health Service is considered a specialized cadre, salary structures and benefits do not currently reflect this distinction.

Minister Paudel emphasized that even if the health sector is brought under the civil service framework, any revisions to salary and benefits should account for the critical and sensitive nature of healthcare work.

With lawmakers formally tabling amendment proposals, health service employees are now expected to intensify internal discussions and advocacy regarding their future under the federal civil structure.