In response to the severe workforce shortage in the United Kingdom's healthcare sector, the Government of Nepal has taken proactive measures to assist by sending qualified nurses to support the overstretched National Health Service (NHS). The pressing need for additional healthcare professionals arises as the UK grapples with a critical shortage of approximately 100,000 vacant positions within the NHS.
Recognizing the urgency and significance of this issue, the bilateral labor agreement between Nepal and the UK government has paved the way for the deployment of Nepali health workers to the UK. Following the approval of the implementation protocol, the Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security of Nepal is now ready to facilitate the process by initiating online applications for Nepali nurses aspiring to work in the United Kingdom.
This strategic collaboration aims to address the prevailing crisis in the UK healthcare sector while providing Nepali nurses with an invaluable opportunity to contribute their skills and expertise on an international platform. By leveraging the well-established reputation of Nepali healthcare professionals, the government of Nepal aims to alleviate the workforce shortage in the UK, ensuring the provision of quality healthcare services to those in need.
Through this mutually beneficial partnership, the Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security is committed to shouldering the financial burden associated with the deployment of nurses, thereby offering them a unique chance to explore professional growth and international exposure without any financial constraints.
Rajeev Pokharel, the joint secretary of the Ministry of Labor, has announced that following the successful implementation protocol for sending Nepalese nurses to the UK under the existing agreement, preparations are underway to facilitate their deployment. He further mentioned that as per the protocol, a hundred nurses will be dispatched to the UK by Shrawan 10, and an online application process will be initiated to facilitate the selection.
Under the established protocol, individuals aspiring to work in the UK will be offered an appealing salary and comprehensive benefits. As per the requirements, interested candidates must possess a minimum educational qualification of a three-year nursing course such as PCL nursing or Bachelor of Nursing, along with a minimum IELTS score of seven points. Additionally, the protocol mandates a minimum of two years of prior work experience in the field.
As per the Ministry of Labour, the selection and placement of health workers will follow a government-to-government process, with direct participation from the Department of Foreign Employment in Nepal and the Department of Health and Social Care in the United Kingdom, or designated organizations. It has been mutually agreed to ensure the employment of Nepali health workers within the British National Health Service (NHS) in a secure, respectful, and organized manner, prioritizing their safety and dignity.
Joint Secretary Pokhrel, representing Nepal in the protocol, revealed that the selected nurses from Nepal who travel to the UK will have the chance to register with the Nursing Council in the UK. Initially, they will work as nursing assistants and subsequently have the opportunity to work as registered nurses. Furthermore, he shared that the nurses going to the UK will receive payment in accordance with the regulations set by the British government right from the start.
Based on the data provided by the Nepal Nursing Council, approximately 74,000 nurses in Nepal have obtained licenses to practice. However, out of this number, only around 45,000 nurses are currently active in the workforce. Among the active nurses, around 18,000 are employed by the Nepal government, either on a permanent or contractual basis.
As preparations commence to dispatch Nepali health workers to the UK, this initiative will not only alleviate the workforce shortage but also foster a strong bond between Nepal and the UK in the pursuit of a shared goal.
