Kathmadnu, April 7 -- Despite the constitutional guarantee of health as a fundamental right, a workforce shortage at government health institutions across the country has affected service delivery, impacting patients and service seekers. Without adding permanent positions for health workers, these facilities are largely making do with contract staff.

Arun Tamang of Sarlahi arrived at Bir Hospital in Kathmandu a week ago for his mother's treatment. The ordeal he faced during the treatment of his 65-year-old mother, who suffers from liver and heart ailments, has been equally distressing. He had to stand in long queues for tickets, payments and medicines, while tests for the liver and heart took weeks, adding to both cost and time.

As he t...