The road ahead for Nepal’s healthcare system
File photo In Nepal, the healthcare system stands at a crossroads. Doctors and health professionals, often addressed with reverence as Doctor Saab, have been revered as life saviours in this society for generations. However, the once unwavering respect for these professionals is gradually eroding, and the reasons are complex. A significant factor contributing to the dwindling respect for healthcare professionals in Nepal is the perceived commercialisation and professionalisation of the medical field at the expense of humanitarian service. The cost of medical education and the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical equipment has driven up the expenses associated with healthcare services. While the cost factor cannot be disregarded, it is essential to acknowledge that the health and education of a nation’s citizens lie at the core of its development and progress. The question that arises is: why has trust in health professionalism eroded so dramatically in recent years in Nepal?...