Professionalization of Public Health in Nepal

Authors

  • Rose Khatri Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, UK

Keywords:

Federalization, Professionalization, Public Health Workforce, Public Health in Nepal, Covid-19 and Public Health

Abstract

Background: The need for a professionalized and highly skilled public health workforce is essential to improving and protecting the health of populations, especially in Nepal. This study aimed to explore: (i) the current trends in public health in Nepal and (ii) the opportunities and barriers to the professionalization of the sector.

Methods: We employed an exploratory qualitative research design and used a combination of semi-structured interviews with senior public health professionals and a small focus group discussion with more recently qualified public health practitioners in Nepal. A total of nine professional stakeholders were interviewed and five junior practitioners joined the focus group discussion. Data was collected via Skype due to COVID-19 restrictions. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

Results: Four core themes emerged from the research: understanding the public health approach; health priorities; federalization and the impact on public health practice; professionalization and workforce development.

Conclusions: Political federalization and more recently COVID-19 have impacted the development, capacity, and employment of this often-neglected workforce. Public health graduates with their broad-ranging knowledge and skills are often overlooked in the health sector. This is related to a general lack of understanding of what public health is and what public health practitioners do amongst politicians and the general public.

 

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Published

2020-12-30

How to Cite

Khatri, R. (2020). Professionalization of Public Health in Nepal. Europasian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2(2), 70–76. Retrieved from https://nepjol.info/index.php/ejms/article/view/35550

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2020): EJMS | July-December Issue

Section

Original Articles

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