Attracting and retaining doctors in rural Nepal
1KIST Medical College, Imadol, Lalitpur, Nepal. ravi.dr.shankar@gmail.com
Rural and Remote Health
|September 16, 2010
Summary
Nepal faces a rural doctor shortage despite increased medical school graduates. Strategies like community-based education and financial incentives are crucial for retaining doctors in underserved areas.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Health Workforce Distribution
- Rural Health
Background:
- Nepal has seen a rise in private medical schools, yet a shortage of doctors persists in rural regions.
- The uneven distribution of healthcare professionals exacerbates the rural doctor deficit.
- International strategies are reviewed to address Nepal's specific rural doctor shortage challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the factors contributing to the rural doctor shortage in Nepal.
- To review international literature for effective strategies to mitigate this shortage.
- To propose applicable solutions for improving rural healthcare access in Nepal.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted using Google, Google Scholar, and PubMed for articles published between 1995 and 2010.
- Included were original research, reviews, magazine articles, and project reports focusing on Nepal and other developing countries.
- Full-text access to relevant literature was facilitated through the WHO's HINARI database.
Main Results:
- High tuition fees in private medical schools and low government salaries deter graduates from rural practice.
- Mandatory rural service for scholarship students aims to curb the emigration of medical graduates.
- Potential solutions include community-based medical education, rural-focused student selection, tuition waivers for rural commitment, and training traditional healers and paramedical staff.
Conclusions:
- Community-oriented medical education, integrating rural doctors into student training, is a key strategy for Nepal.
- Financial incentives such as tuition reimbursement and relocation assistance are vital.
- Government investment in improving rural working conditions is essential for attracting and retaining doctors in underserved areas.
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