The government has decided to open the registration list for all government and private hospitals that meet the necessary criteria for health screening of migrant workers going abroad for employment. However, since destination countries like Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar enforce their own certification systems, challenges have arisen in implementing this new arrangement. Health practitioners emphasize the need for diplomatic negotiations and agreements with these countries, while the government remains focused on expanding service providers.
Kathmandu, 20 Chaitra – The government’s decision to break its long-standing monopoly on health screening for migrant workers has sparked new debates. Questions have surfaced about whether destination countries such as Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar will recognize health screenings conducted by any hospital registered in Nepal.
The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security recently announced that the registration list for health screening will be open to all government and private hospitals that fulfill the required standards, introducing a competitive system. This move is expected to dismantle the syndicate that previously restricted testing to a limited number of health institutions. However, in practice, the regulations imposed by destination countries are posing challenges for implementing the new system.
Currently, Malaysia recognizes tests only from 36 designated health institutions in Nepal. Similarly, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain accept tests solely from 30 health institutions under the ‘GAMCA’ framework. Qatar mandates testing exclusively through health institutions approved by its Visa Center. As destination countries continue to apply their own certification systems, questions have arisen about the effectiveness of Nepal’s open registration, especially if these countries do not validate tests from newly registered hospitals, potentially halting workers’ visa procedures.
Health professionals identify this as a significant challenge. They argue that merely changing the registration system within Nepal unilaterally is insufficient; diplomatic and technical consensus with destination countries is essential. “The Nepal government must hold talks with the Malaysian government. This is not a system created arbitrarily, but a list based on standards repeatedly established by the Malaysian government,” they pointed out.
While the health sector does not oppose the government’s decision, they emphasize that progress must come through dialogue to meet the criteria set by destination countries. “We will support government implementation efforts, but agreements with governments of Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, and others are critical,” they said. They cautioned that visa processes will stall if health screenings are not performed at hospitals designated by these countries.
“If I cannot get tested as before or if GAMCA does not approve a medical examination, the visa process for Saudi Arabia will not move forward, and the same applies to Malaysia. Therefore, discussions with relevant countries are necessary to align procedures with their requirements,” they stressed.
The ministry acknowledges that clarity on this issue is still pending. According to officials, the current focus is on expanding the pool of service providers and fostering competition; coordination with destination countries is expected to be addressed in the next phase.
The government claims that the new system will extend services to government hospitals and ease access for migrant workers outside the Kathmandu Valley. However, questions remain about the success of efforts to dismantle the syndicate until international recognition and coordination are assured.
Ministry spokesperson Pitambar Ghimire stated that the outdated practice allowing only certain hospitals or health centers to conduct health screenings will be replaced with an ‘open’ system. “We have opened registration and service delivery to approved hospitals,” he said. “Only hospitals that meet the prescribed infrastructure, standards, and procedures listed in the guidance will be registered.”
He noted that authorized hospitals undergo monitoring by an expert committee after preparing the necessary infrastructure, and only those approved by the committee are added to the list and permitted to provide health screening services. Regarding acceptance by destination countries, Ghimire said discussions had yet to take place.
“We have not yet engaged in matters concerning how destination countries establish their standards or certification lists,” he explained. “This is a separate issue requiring further study and dialogue.”
Currently, the government is emphasizing the expansion of service providers and boosting competition. “Once hospitals are registered, competition in the market will improve service quality and affect pricing,” he remarked.
Under the new system, health screenings will be accessible even through government hospitals, with anticipated service expansion to provinces beyond the Kathmandu Valley. “Previously, workers had to depend on limited centers, but now they can avail services from nearby hospitals, which will ease the process for migrant workers,” he added.
The decision aims to end the syndicate controlling health screening and increase competition and accessibility. However, its effectiveness remains uncertain until international recognition and coordination are finalized.
On 17 Chaitra, a ministerial decision opened registration for health screening of migrant workers going abroad, authorizing health institutions approved or owned by the Nepal government to conduct these tests. This step follows regulations outlined in the Health Institution Registration, Renewal and Monitoring Procedures, 2072, Section 3.
The Foreign Employment Act, 2064, Article 72, Subsection (1) mandates that migrant workers undergo testing at government-approved health institutions before departure. Furthermore, Rule 45(k), Sub-rule (9) of the 2064 Regulations states that the requirement for testing at government-owned health institutions shall not be impeded.
Accordingly, the ministerial decision opened registration for health institutions owned or approved by the Nepal government to conduct health screenings for migrant workers.
Following the strike in Bhadra led by the Gensiji movement, the government headed by Sushila Karki increased the health examination fee from NPR 6,500 to NPR 9,500. Then-Prime Minister Karki issued a ministerial decision mandating 34 types of compulsory health tests and approving the associated fee.
Later, Rajendra Singh Bhandari, former AIG of Nepal Police and appointed labor minister, canceled the fee hike decision. Despite business groups filing lawsuits against this move, courts declined to issue interim orders. Then-Minister Sharatsingh Bhandari issued a ministerial decision on 8 Chaitra 2081 to add NPR 9,500 to all test packages, but it was never implemented.
