Kathmandu— Health and Population Minister Pradip Paudel has initiated the process to add more than 2,000 health workers across federal hospitals in Nepal. Despite longstanding demands due to increasing patient loads, the number of healthcare personnel has not increased for years. In coordination with the Ministry of Finance, Minister Paudel has now moved forward with the process.

For this, an internal task force formed under the leadership of Administrative Joint Secretary Rishi Acharya has submitted an organizational and management survey report recommending the addition of 2,102 health personnel, with the majority designated for technical roles at hospital levels. This organizational structure has been designed with a five-year plan in mind, allowing for annual increases in staffing.

According to the report:

Bir Hospital, the largest hospital in the country, is set to receive 777 new positions.

The Trauma Center will have 90 new staff.

Kanti Children’s Hospital in Kathmandu will get 78 additional health workers.

The Paropakar Maternity Hospital will see an increase of 173 personnel.

Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital will receive 317 new staff members.

Koshi Hospital will have 172 additions, while Narayani Hospital will get 318, and Bheri Hospital will add 179 health workers.

Gajendra Narayan Singh Hospital in Rajbiraj is set to receive 144, and Bharatpur Hospital in Chitwan will see the largest increase after Bir Hospital with 465 new positions.

Dadeldhura Hospital will receive 52, and the Department of Drug Administration and central laboratories will have 40 new staff combined.

While receiving the report, Minister Paudel expressed confidence that this initiative would significantly ease the burden on overstretched public health institutions. ‘This report will play a crucial role in managing the workforce in government hospitals,’ he said, adding that implementation will proceed in coordination with relevant ministries.

Minister Paudel emphasized that the assessment would not be a one-time effort. With yearly surveys planned, the goal is to address the long-term problem of workforce shortages in healthcare.

He also noted that the proposed structure focuses on addressing the shortage of technical health personnel. The report is expected to help transition many temporary and contract positions into permanent roles, offering greater stability within the public health system.

Although a few staff were added in 2009 (2066 BS), a comprehensive organizational and management survey had not been conducted since then. The implementation of this report is anticipated to not only fill vacant posts but also help tackle the rising demand for services and contribute to employment generation.