The Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene has approved the Procedure on Selection, Recommendation and Appointment of Officeholders of Public Bodies Affiliated with the Ministry, 2083, through a ministerial-level decision on Jestha 29, 2083. The procedure aims to make appointments merit-based, objective, impartial and transparent. It applies to institutions including the Nepal Medical Council, Ayurveda Medical Council, Nepal Health Research Council, Nepal Nursing Council, Nepal Health Professional Council, Nepal Pharmacy Council, Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre and Health Insurance Board.
Vacant positions must generally be advertised through a national daily and the ministry website with at least 10 days for applications, with a one-time extension of up to three days if necessary. Candidates may apply online or physically and must submit citizenship, academic and professional credentials, experience records and a self-declaration. Applicants for officeholder positions must additionally submit a Vision Paper and Strategic Action Plan of up to 3,000 words. The procedure sets institution-specific qualification and experience requirements for positions such as chairperson, registrar, executive director and member-secretary.
Candidates will be assessed out of 100 marks: 15 for academic qualifications, 15 for managerial and relevant experience, 20 for the Vision Paper, 25 for the Strategic Action Plan and 25 for presentation and interview. Up to 10 candidates per vacancy may be shortlisted for presentation and interview, after which the committee can recommend up to three candidates for each vacant post to the appointing authority. Evaluators must declare that they have no conflict of interest, and anyone with a close relative or other conflicting interest involving a candidate must withdraw from that selection process.
Those appointed under the procedure must sign a Performance Agreement within 15 days of assuming office, based on the Strategic Action Plan submitted during their candidacy. The agreement must specify key goals, performance indicators and expected work during the term, creating a direct link between the commitments made during selection and subsequent institutional performance.
