May 07, Kathmandu - The Ministry of Health and Population has appointed acting heads to key health science institutes, hospitals, and boards to ensure uninterrupted patient care, daily operations, and administrative functions amid leadership vacancies.

The vacancies arose following the recent promulgation of a special ordinance for the removal of certain public officials, which left these organizations without permanent leadership. To address this, the ministry has appointed interim leaders to oversee operations temporarily.

The ministry has assured that merit-based selection processes will be implemented in appointing permanent leadership. An open competition is expected soon to fill these positions with full-term leaders.

Until then, the acting responsibilities have been assigned as follows:

• Patan Academy of Health Sciences: Prof. Dr. Samita Panta
• Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences: Prof. Dr. Narendra Bikram Gurung
• Karnali Academy of Health Sciences: Associate Prof. Dr. Binamra Bista
• BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan: Associate Prof. Dr. Indra Limbu
• Rapti Academy of Health Sciences, Dang: Associate Prof. Dr. Suresh Rasaili
• BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur: Dr. Umesh Nepal
• National Heart Center, Gangalal: Associate Prof. Dr. Ravindra Bhakta Timala
• Health Insurance Board: Shakuntala Prajapati

The ministry emphasized that these interim appointments are temporary measures until full-time leadership is established through transparent selection processes.