Ministry instructs full disclosures of doctors’ details in patients’ report card

KATHMANDU: The Minister for Health and Population has directed all public healthcare facilities across the country to disclose complete identification details about the doctors and other health workers involved in treatment of patients.

Healthcare professionals have been instructed to ensure that the recommendations for radiology, laboratory tests and other diagnostic procedures are clearly documents in patients’ report cards.

The Ministry, in a circular today, issued the order towards this with an objective to ensure accountability and transparency in public health sector. The move is also expected to further facilitate in treatment of the patients as well to simplify the re-testing process for patients

All the federal hospitals and health institutions have been asked to include all vital identification details of the doctors such as full name, medical specialization, Nepal Medical Council’s registration and signature of the doctors among others in the patients’ report card.

Spokesperson of Ministry, Dr Prakash Budhathoki, shared that the directive is intended to mitigate the malpractice of referring patients elsewhere for testing when those facilities are available in-house.

According to him, the incomplete prescription and absence of complete medical documentation had been creating challenges in proper diagnosis and treatment of the patients.

He expressed his confidence that the mandatory disclosure of the identification details of the medical professionals in patients’ report cards would make medical professional more responsible and accountable.

It may be noted that Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Paudel, emphasizing reforms in curative services for the patients in public healthcare facilities, has been adopting several initiatives and measures to make healthcare services affordable and accessible.

The recent directive is a part of the Minister’s broader initiatives to improve the services in the public health sector.