Patient Safety Framework in Healthcare Regulatory System of Nepal: A Call for Action

TL;DR

Nepal's healthcare system struggles with patient safety due to poor regulation and resources, and the paper suggests reforms to address these issues.

Contribution

The paper proposes a unified governance system and increased funding to improve patient safety in Nepal’s healthcare system.

Findings

Fragmented regulatory bodies in Nepal hinder effective patient safety oversight.

Adopting a unified governance system and national reporting could enhance safety.

Increasing healthcare funding to 5% of GDP is recommended to meet global standards.

Abstract

Patient safety in Nepal’s healthcare system remains a critical challenge due to fragmented regulatory frameworks, resource constraints, and inadequate monitoring mechanisms. Despite multiple regulatory bodies overseeing healthcare services, their lack of coordination limits effectiveness. Learning from international models, Nepal can enhance patient safety by establishing a unified governance system, strengthened monitoring mechanisms, and increased budget allocations. A dedicated patient safety framework, including stakeholder collaboration, capacity-building, and a national reporting system, is crucial. Increasing healthcare funding to at least 5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would demonstrate Nepal’s commitment towards improving patient safety and achieving global healthcare standards.