Nepal to present a proposal on workers' health and safety to the WHO: Minister Paudel

Nepal Health News, Kathmandu: Minister for Health and Population, Pradeep Paudel, has intensified dialogue with the World Health Organization (WHO) to effectively advance Nepal’s proposal concerning the protection of workers’ health.

Nepal, which is also a member of the WHO Executive Board, is preparing to table this issue at the upcoming World Health Assembly. In this context, Minister Paudel held discussions with WHO South-East Asia Regional Director, Saima Wazed, at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok, Thailand. The discussions focused on Nepal’s agenda and gathering global support for it.

"Many of our workers are currently employed abroad. Their health issues have become a matter of concern for us," said Minister Paudel. "Thorough preparations are necessary to address the shared health concerns of all workers." In response, Director Wazed expressed her belief that Nepal’s agenda would garner support and assured coordinated efforts from her side.

Following the recent World Health Assembly, Nepal submitted a proposal for the upcoming Assembly stating that employers should be responsible for the health of all workers, aiming to address the health challenges faced by Nepali migrant workers. This proposal will be officially presented by Nepal in the next Assembly.

Recently, Minister Paudel implemented a decision to provide free health checkups and regular virtual health services to returning migrant workers through the Shahid Dharmabhakta National Transplant Center.