The Ministry of Health and Population has transferred, appointed, and reverted postings of high-ranking employees at the eleventh level. Health Minister Nisha Mehta has taken necessary steps to reorganize the heads of three major departments to enhance performance efficiency. To prevent misuse of the posting system, the provision under the 1996 Health Services Act has been enforced, which states that employees cannot be posted on transfer duty for more than one month. April 16, Kathmandu.
The Ministry of Health has reportedly carried out transfers, appointments, and reversions of top-tier eleventh-level staff. Following a ministerial decision, Health Minister Nisha Mehta has reshuffled the directors of three key divisions within the ministry. These critical divisions include the National Health Training Center directed by Yashoda Aryal, the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division headed by Dr. Roshan Nyaupane, and Dr. Gunanidhi Sharma, recently promoted to the eleventh level. Official confirmation on the specific assignments for these officials is expected shortly, according to ministry sources.
Along with the transfer process, several senior doctors working at the ministry have been reverted to duty at various health institutions. Dr. Chumanlal Das from the Policy and Planning Division has been reverted to Narayani Hospital in Parsa. Dr. Bhim Sapkota from the Health Coordination Division has been assigned to the Kit Laboratory in Hetauda. Similarly, Dr. Saroj Sharma, head of the Quality Measurement and Inspection Division, has been reverted to Bir Hospital. Though Dr. Krishnaprasad Paudel, Executive Director of the Health Insurance Board, was transferred to Gajendra Narayan Singh Hospital, he has been instructed to continue serving at the board due to his current executive position.
The ministry’s decision aims to enhance operational effectiveness. Previously, appointments were often made on paper but extended by granting powerful posts. Employees frequently exploited the posting system, holding office for prolonged periods without actual duty. The Health Services Act of 1996 explicitly prohibits postings exceeding one month, but past health ministers have repeatedly violated this provision.
“No employee shall be posted on transfer duty at any office for more than 30 days within a one-year period,” the act stipulates, “and if such extended posting occurs, the salary and benefits paid must be deducted from the remuneration of the official who authorized the posting.” The act also specifies exceptional cases permitting postings beyond one month: (a) government-nominated participation in training, seminars, symposiums, or national programs related to natural disasters or infectious disease control; (b) the necessity for permanent appointment to a position; and (c) inability to immediately fill the vacant office chief or unit head positions.
Former ministry officials reported that misuse of the posting system began during the tenure of Health Minister Rajendra Mahato. During his administration, efforts were made to implement the posting system in practice, with subsequent ministers continuing this practice. Such misuse impeded the principle of “right person, right job.” Minister Mehta’s ‘bold’ move has created an opportunity to assign capable health workers to appropriate positions within the sanctioned posts.
