The Government of Nepal has approved the NP Core FHIR Implementation Guide, Version 1.0.0, introducing a national framework for standardized digital health information exchange across healthcare institutions. According to a public notice issued by the Ministry of Health and Population, the implementation guide was officially approved through a ministerial-level decision on Ashoj 20, 2083 BS. The ministry announced that the guide has been approved and brought into effect, marking an important development in Nepal’s efforts to establish consistent standards for digital healthcare information systems and improve interoperability among healthcare institutions.
The guide has been prepared in accordance with Clauses 37 and 47 of the Integrated Electronic Medical Records System Operation and Management Directive, 2081, as well as Cabinet Decision No. 58(b), dated Poush 13, 2082 BS. It establishes a shared national standard for exchanging information between Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems and Hospital Information Systems (HIS) operated by healthcare institutions across Nepal. The initiative is intended to address compatibility issues between different digital healthcare platforms by providing a common framework for the exchange of medical information.
The approved implementation guide focuses on interoperability and standardized health data exchange, enabling healthcare information systems to exchange data using a common technical framework. By establishing consistent information-sharing standards, the government aims to create a foundation for better coordination between digital systems used by hospitals and other healthcare providers. The framework could support more consistent handling of electronic health information and future integration of healthcare applications. However, the notice does not specify individual hospital implementation deadlines, mandatory migration schedules or penalties for noncompliance.
The Ministry of Health and Population has made the approved guide publicly accessible through the government’s official digital health platform at fhir.digitalhealth.gov.np/core. Healthcare institutions, hospital administrators, health information system developers and other stakeholders can consult the document for technical implementation requirements. The approval establishes an official national interoperability standard but does not confirm that all healthcare institutions have already integrated their systems. The initiative represents a step toward building a more connected and standardized digital healthcare ecosystem in Nepal.
