Secretary Devkota Emphasizes the Need to Bridge the Gap Between Policy Formulation and Implementation

Summary: Dr. Vikas Devkota, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Population, has stressed the importance of reducing the gap between policy formulation and implementation. He highlighted the need to coordinate research, implementation, and monitoring within a unified structure. Dr. Devkota also emphasized that change should begin with personal behavior improvement and that research must align with the government’s 100-point agenda and manifesto. Kathmandu, March 29.

Dr. Vikas Devkota, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Population, underscored the necessity to minimize the gap observed between policy-making and its execution. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the ‘National Summit of Health and Population Scientists’ organized by Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC), he urged a stronger focus on policy implementation. He pointed out that as the country approaches a phase of stability, there is an opportunity to introduce systems with fresh perspectives.

He stressed the importance of formulating policies and regulations related to good governance and ensuring their implementation for effective service delivery. Highlighting that change starts from small steps, he urged everyone to improve their personal behavior. “We are currently in a different situation; the country is moving toward stability. New opportunities have emerged, we have accomplished and reviewed many tasks. Now, a new system has arrived with fresh thinking, and we must build evidence based on it,” Secretary Devkota remarked.

“The NHRC has been performing well, and outstanding work can be expected annually from everyone involved here. However, it is essential to coordinate research, implementation, and monitoring under a single umbrella that spans from the central to the provincial level,” he added. He further emphasized the need to focus on service expansion even as young people engage in research. “We must have ambitious plans and ideas, but the start must be small,” he said. “The foremost requirement is to change our own behavior. Future research should be based on the government’s 100-point agenda and the manifesto, which will assist in improving services.”