Doctors on government scholarship to work outside Kathmandu

Kathmandu, Aug 16: The Department of Health Services (DHS) has decided not to let doctors and health workers, who pursued degrees on a government scholarship, to serve in the three districts of Kathmandu valley - Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur.

A provision says that a doctor or health worker, who pursued his or her studies on a government scholarship, is bound to work for a rural-based government health institution for two years.

The decision, which will come into effect from the current fiscal year 2016/17, aims at decentralising health-related human resources at a time when the valley is overcrowded with doctors and health workers, said Tara Nath Luitel, undersecretary of the DHS.

Those who have passed the licensee examinations of the Medical Council or concerned council after completing their medical studies, are eligible to become part of the decision, Luitel said.

The decision was taken by the Mobilisation of Scholarship Doctor and Health Personal Coordination Committee formed under the chairmanship of the Director of the Department as per the Mobilisation of Scholarship Doctor and Health Personal - 2071. The committee comprises representatives of the Ministry of Education, Medical Council and undersecretary of the employee's administration section of the Department.

According to available data, 1,296 doctors and health workers, who pursued their studies on a government scholarship, have served at rural health institutions so far.