Government Appoints Interim Leadership at Health Institutions and Hospitals

The government has designated interim leaderships at various health science institutions and hospitals until permanent appointments are made. The Ministry of Health has assigned short-term responsibilities to professors and doctors at institutions including Patan, Pokhara, and Karnali. The ministry also announced plans to soon conduct open competitions and select permanent leaders based on merit.

Kathmandu, 24 Baishakh – The government has issued interim appointments at health science institutions and certain hospitals. According to the Secretariat of Health Minister Nisha Mehta, these temporary assignments aim to ensure uninterrupted essential operations until full-time leadership is appointed. The ministry has entrusted Prof. Dr. Samita Pant with interim responsibility at Patan Health Science Institute, Dr. Narendra Bikram Gurung at Pokhara Health Science Institute, and Associate Prof. Dr. Binamra Bist at Karnali Health Science Institute.

Similarly, Associate Prof. Dr. Indra Limbu has been assigned at B.P. Koirala Health Science Institute (Dharan), Associate Prof. Dr. Suresh Rasaily at Rapti Health Science Institute, Dr. Umesh Nepal at B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, and Associate Prof. Dr. Ravindrabhakta Timala at Shahid Gangalal National Heart Center. The Secretariat also stated that Shakuntala Prajapati has been appointed interim head of the Health Insurance Board.

The Secretariat emphasized that the ministry remains committed to reform in the health sector and will not compromise on selecting qualified leadership. Efforts are underway to expedite open competitions to fill permanent leadership positions strictly on merit. The government has clearly mandated that leadership selections be conducted through open competition based solely on merit. A recent ordinance addressing the dismissal of public officials led to vacancies in leadership across these health bodies. To ensure no disruption in patient care, daily services, and administrative functions during this period, the ministry promptly appointed interim chiefs.