Nepal, UK preparing a ‘protocol’ to send nurses

KATHMANDU: The Ministry of  Labour, Employment and Social Security has prepared a draft protocol (criteria) regarding the selection, posting and service facilities of Nepalese health workers. This draft protocol will be approved by the Council of Ministers after agreeing with the UK.

It was agreed between Nepal and Britain to make a clear arrangement about the ‘Implementation Protocol’ for posting Nepalese nurses in Britain as a test in the first phase.

The ministry will ask for applications for nurses to be sent to the UK from January. An official of the ministry said that the nurses who are qualified according to the rules set by the protocol will get an opportunity for employment in the UK.

On August 22, a labor agreement was signed between the Government of Nepal and the Government of the UK regarding the employment of Nepali nurses in the UK. According to the implementation protocol of the agreement, it has been agreed that Nepalese nurses will get an opportunity in the UK.

According to the agreement, the selection and placement of health workers will be done in accordance with the government (government to government) process with the direct involvement of the Department of Foreign Employment of Nepal and the Department of Health and Social Care of the United Kingdom or designated bodies.

It has been agreed that arrangements will be made for Nepali health workers to be employed in the British Health Service (NHS) in a safe, dignified and orderly manner.

Considering the fact that Nepal is included in the World Health Organization’s Health Worker Support and Safeguard List 2000, both governments have agreed to make a joint decision regarding the number and types of health workers.

It has been agreed that no fee will be charged for the appointment process and that the cost of health workers selected for employment will be covered.

It is mentioned in the agreement that at the end of the trial phase, the overall health worker appointment process will be evaluated and necessary decisions will be taken regarding additional appointments and extensions.