Nepal’s Health and Population Minister Nisha Mehta conducted surprise inspections at Bir Hospital and Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre on Sunday, exposing major gaps in service delivery and patient care. The move underscores growing urgency to reform public healthcare as patients continue to face long queues, drug shortages and insurance hurdles.
The minister arrived without prior notice to assess the real condition of services and understand the hardships faced by the public in government hospitals.
Major gaps in hospital service delivery
During the inspection, poor sanitation, overwhelming patient flow and weak queue management systems were identified as key failures. Patients were seen waiting for hours for basic services, highlighting deep-rooted inefficiencies in hospital operations and increasing dissatisfaction among the public.
Concerns over insurance and drug shortages
Citizens raised concerns over the difficulty in accessing health insurance benefits, with delays and complicated procedures adding to their burden. Shortages of essential medicines were also observed, disrupting treatment and forcing patients to seek alternatives outside hospitals.
Minister orders immediate corrective action
Minister Mehta issued strict instructions to hospital authorities to improve cleanliness, introduce technology-friendly queue management systems and ensure a steady supply of medicines.
“People should feel relief, not hardship, when they visit public hospitals,” she said, pledging full coordination and support from the ministry to resolve the issues.
Growing pressure for systemic reform
The findings have intensified calls for broader reforms in Nepal’s public health system, as longstanding issues once again come into focus. Experts say sustainable improvements will require stronger management, digital transformation in patient services and a more reliable supply chain for essential drugs.
