Demand for the repeal of the Integrated Health Science Bill
Nepal Health News, Kathmandu:The Faculty Association of the Patan Academy of Health Sciences has expressed strong objection to the Integrated Health Science Institution Bill proposed by the government and has demanded its repeal. On Sunday, the association conveyed its serious concerns through an official letter addressed to Minister of Health and Population, Pradeep Paudel.
The letter stated, “The Ministry of Health and Population has drafted the bill for establishing the Integrated Health Science Institution and called for public suggestions without holding consultations with stakeholders. The institution expresses dissatisfaction with this and strongly demands that the bill be repealed.”
The bill proposes restructuring currently existing health science institutions — such as Patan, NAMS, BP Koirala, Karnali, Pokhara, and Rapti — into a single uniform institutional model. However, the association argues that these institutions have developed independently with distinct historical backgrounds, legal frameworks, geographies, resources, and founding objectives. Forcing them into a single structure, the association claims, is against the spirit of federalism.
The association has also warned of launching a strong protest movement if the bill is not withdrawn. It further emphasized the need for the government to develop a culture of adequate consultation with stakeholders during policy-making processes.
Earlier, the Ministry had made the bill's draft public and initiated a process to gather suggestions
