KATHMANDU, May 3: Nepali doctors working in hospitals abroad have voiced concern after the Nepal Medical Council cancelled the license registrations of physicians who have taken foreign citizenship.
Speaking at a meeting of the Global Health Committee under the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) on Friday, doctors said the council’s decision was unjustified. The meeting expressed serious concern and objection to the move to revoke the licenses of 36 Nepali doctors holding non-resident Nepali (NRN) status.
Experts at the meeting argued that the decision, based on a 63-year-old law, runs counter to the spirit of the current Constitution. They said that when the Constitution itself recognizes non-resident Nepali citizenship, stripping doctors of their professional identity on the basis of residence is not reasonable. According to them, the council’s decision contradicts constitutional principles.
Beyond the object on display
Participants also noted that the licenses were cancelled without prior notice or coordination with those affected. They criticized what they described as a double standard, pointing out that while the government talks about “skill transfer,” such actions discourage skilled professionals.
The meeting was chaired by Prof Dr Sunil Shah and included 25 members, with health experts from Nepal as well as the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Norway, Belgium, and Poland. The committee includes doctors, nurses, paramedics, and public health professionals.
According to committee chair Dr Shah, the body aims to strengthen ties between Nepali health workers in Nepal and the diaspora. He said the committee will focus on medical education, training, innovation in healthcare, and attracting strategic investment.
He added that the knowledge and skills of Nepali experts abroad will be utilized for sustainable health development in Nepal through coordination with the government and relevant regulatory bodies.
NRNA forms Global Health Committee
The Non-Resident Nepali Association has formed a Global Health Committee for the 2025–2027 term, with UK-based Prof Dr Sunil Shah as chair.
The committee’s vice-chairs include Dr Sarita Pandey from South Africa, Prof Dr Padam Simkhada from the UK, and NRNA Secretary Prasuna Kadel.
Members include Nepali health professionals working in different countries, such as Dr Rabindra Yadav (UAE), Dr Sagar Paudel (Nepal), Dr Aliza KC Bhandari (UK/Japan), Dr Santosh Yadav (Canada), Dr Manoj Singh (Australia), Dr Prabhat Adhikari (Nepal), Dr Lushun Chalise (Japan), Dr Nitesh Aryal (Qatar/USA), Dr Dharmendra Karn (Nepal), Dr Alini (Poland), Anisha Bhandari (Nepal), Dr Sanjay Yadav (Nepal), journalist Chiran Sharma (UK), Atul Mishra (Nepal), Rubina Sharma (Belgium), and Prof Dipak Sapkota (Norway).
Advisors include Dr Sanjeev Sapkota (USA), Nepal Medical Association President Prof Dr Satyan Raj Bhandari, Dr Binod Shah (USA), and the Registrar of the Nepal Medical Council.
The newly formed committee is expected to bring together Nepali health professionals worldwide to promote collaboration, knowledge exchange, and improvements in healthcare services in Nepal and beyond.
