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H EALTH AND RELATED SERVICES 157<br />
The process of recruitment of foreign doctors is as<br />
follows 38 :<br />
• The government advertises in international newspapers<br />
• Shortlisted applicants have to undergo several<br />
rounds of interview, and a close scrutiny of their<br />
qualifications and references.<br />
• The national accreditation board of Maldives<br />
accredits several universities and the degrees<br />
awarded by the same. If the applicant is from an<br />
accredited university, his/her application is<br />
processed faster. If not, a committee from the<br />
Ministry of Health is required to closely investigate<br />
the credentials of the university, the course outline,<br />
and the nature of exams offered by such university.<br />
• After an applicant is approved by the ministry of<br />
health, she is required to apply for a ‘work permit’<br />
to the ministry of labour. A work permit is typically<br />
awarded for one year duration, and is renewable. It is<br />
estimated that some foreign doctors have stayed on<br />
to provide medical services in Maldives for 15 to<br />
20 years.<br />
Nepal<br />
FDI-related Requirements<br />
The government of Nepal has formulated a Foreign<br />
Direct Investment Policy, under which 100% FDI is<br />
allowed in the health/hospital sector. 39 Pursuant to the<br />
Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act, 1992<br />
the approval and permission of the Department of<br />
Industry under Government of Nepal is required for<br />
all FDI in Nepal. In order to obtain the permission, the<br />
foreign investor should first submit an application to<br />
the Department. Approvals are granted on a case-bycase<br />
basis.<br />
Domestic Regulations Regarding Qualification<br />
and Licensing Criteria for Medical Practioners<br />
and Dentists and Nurses<br />
Regulatory Authority: The Nepal medical council<br />
established under the Nepal Medical Council Act, is<br />
the regulatory body responsible for regulating medical<br />
and dental practice in Nepal. The Nepal nursing council<br />
established under the Nursing Council Act is<br />
responsible for the professions of nursing. Only persons<br />
with qualifications recognised by the relevant councils<br />
will be allowed to register with the councils for the<br />
practice of the professions of medicine, dentistry and<br />
nursing in Nepal.<br />
Recognition of Foreign Degrees and Reciprocal<br />
Arrangements: The Council recognises medical and<br />
dental degrees awarded by specified institutions in<br />
India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Accordingly,<br />
six (6) Bangladesh universities, over hundred (100)<br />
Indian universities, nine (9) Pakistan universities, and<br />
one (1) Sri Lankan university, offering both degrees in<br />
medicine and dentistry, have been notified in the Nepal<br />
Medical Council’s list of recognised institutions. 40 These<br />
include both medical and dental colleges and<br />
institutions.<br />
Requirements for Registration of Foreign Doctors and<br />
Dentists: Foreign medical practitioners seeking to practice<br />
in the country are required to register themselves<br />
with the Nepal Medical Council. The criteria prescribed<br />
by the Council include the following key aspects 41 :<br />
• A filled application in the format of NMC for<br />
practice of medicine in a medical college or hospital<br />
for stipulated period.<br />
• A photocopy of visa and passport attested by an<br />
NMC member or any permanently registered<br />
doctor authorised for the same.<br />
• A good standing certificate from the council of the<br />
country which domicile country of the applicant.<br />
• A recommendation letter for registration with<br />
NMC from chief of medical college or hospital.<br />
• A letter of recommendation from HMG clearly<br />
stating the period and reason for appointment in<br />
that particular medical college or hospital.<br />
• Copies of the relevant medical degrees<br />
• Certificate of registration in other medical council<br />
if any.<br />
It is not clear whether the above requirements are<br />
in respect of only the foreign institutional degrees that<br />
are recognised by the Nepal medical council. The exact<br />
period for which temporary registration can be granted<br />
is also not clear. As specified in Nepal’s Schedule of<br />
38<br />
Ibid.<br />
39<br />
http://www.catmando.com/gov/industry/fipd<br />
40<br />
http://www.nmc.org.np/document/institutional.pdf<br />
41<br />
http://www.nmc.org.np/registration/foreign.php