Demand that the host country should provide medical treatment if a Nepali worker falls ill
Nepal Health News, Kathmandu – The Government of Nepal is preparing to present an ambitious proposal at next year’s World Health Assembly, which would mandate that the host country employing migrant workers take full responsibility for their health care.
This was announced by Minister for Health and Population, Pradeep Paudel, upon his return from the recently concluded World Health Organization (WHO) Assembly in Geneva. According to the minister, health-related issues faced by Nepali and other migrant workers abroad are becoming increasingly serious, prompting Nepal to raise this issue on the international agenda.
As per Minister Paudel, if the proposal is passed, the host country will be required to provide necessary health information and assistance to migrant workers before their departure, during their employment, and upon return. It is expected that this will help resolve issues such as workers being forced to return home untreated, treatment being interrupted due to financial constraints, or difficulties in repatriating bodies in the event of death.
He stated, “This will also pave the way to ensure mandatory support from the WHO during pandemics or other emergencies. Until now, support during such times was optional, but a proposal has already been passed to make it mandatory, which is a significant achievement for less developed countries.”
Minister Paudel emphasized that Nepal’s proposal will be crucial in terms of international labor welfare. He also informed that there have been positive discussions on the matter with representatives from India, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Switzerland. Additionally, he revealed that formal discussions have begun with India to establish health sector cooperation.
Nepal aims to finalize this proposal by next year and gather support from WHO member states. If passed, it is expected to be a historic step toward safeguarding the health rights of migrant workers abroad.
