Nepal

Original Editor - Manisha Shrestha Top Contributors - Manisha Shrestha and Kim Jackson

Introduction

Nepal is one of the countries located in the Asia Western Pacific Region.

It has a three-level federal system of government which includes federal, provincial, and local so the health system has also been federalized. Along with government health facilities, there are various private, community, and international non-governmental organizations which are providing health services to the public. Government health insurance policy has recently been started here in Nepal and not in all provinces it has reached out. Physiotherapy service has been incorporated in government health insurance.

Physiotherapists in Nepal are working in an in-patient setting, out-patient, rehab, and as a part of different sports teams.

A brief history of Physiotherapy in Nepal

• Earlier in the 1980s, Nurses and other health professionals were trained in Government hospitals.
• Nepalese students went to foreign countries mainly India to gain a degree in Physiotherapy.
• Certificate/Diploma of Physiotherapy (CPT) was started from 1883-1990 in Tribhuvan university whereas from 2003-2010 in Kathmandu University. Later CPT course upgraded to Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) in 2010.
• Recently, in 2018 BPT has been started at Pokhara University as well.
• Kathmandu University is planning to start Master of PHyhiotherapy.
• Increased level of awareness about need and role of physiotherapy in Government and public level since massive earthquake in 2015.
• More job positions are being created at the Government level.
• Now,

Practicing physiotherapists in Nepal: 2,053

Member of Nepal Physiotherapy Association (NEPTA): 455

Regulating Bodies of Physiotherapy in Nepal

Nepal Health Professional Council (NHPC)

It is a national governing body that comes under the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) of Nepal. Under this council, there are about 29 different professions registered including Physiotherapy.

Nepal Physiotherapy Association (NEPTA)

• It is a national organization of professional Nepalese physiotherapists.
• NEPTA is recognized by the Government of Nepal and registered as a national umbrella organization of professional physiotherapists.
• It become a member of Wthe orld Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) in 2003.
• It is the 11th smallest member organisation in the Asia Western Pacific Region of WCPT.
• There are 455 physiotherapist members in this member organization (MO).
• The Nepal Physiotherapy Association has experienced a 9% increase in membership numbers in the past year. (Survey from 2018)

Therapist Preparation

Entry Requirement to BPT for Students

• Intermediate in Science (ISc) or Higher Secondary Level (10+2 Science streams) in biology stream or equivalent Proficiency Certificate level of Physiotherapy (CPT) (registered in NHPC) as recognized by concern University with at least 50% marks or equivalent.
• A written entrance examination will be held for all applicants and should secure 50% marks to be eligible for admission which is followed by interview.

Institutes for Physiotherapy degree

• Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS) was the only place where formal undergraduate (4.5 years) physiotherapy course is delivered in Nepal. But since 2018/19, Pokhara university has also started Bachelor of Physiotherapy.
• Currently, student intake is increased to 30 students every year.
• Bachelor of Physiotherapy is a 4 and half year course (4 academic years and 6 months of an internship).
• Whereas, Diploma of Physiotherapy affiliated under CTEVT which is a 3-year course done immediately after secondary level of education is still being run in School of Health Sciences, Chitwan, and in Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences.

To work as a Physiotherapist in Nepal

To work as a Physiotherapist in Nepal, one needs to be registered under Nepal Health Professional Council and obtain a license to practice. The physiotherapist need not need to undergo an examination of his/her knowledge, in order to get thee license till now but in upcoming days she/he may need to.

 Specialization

• Physiotherapists with a postgraduate degrees in different fields of Physiotherapy such as sports medicine, musculoskeletal, pediatrics, neurology, geriatric, etc. are available in Nepal. Some of them are and are doing a doctorate in different specific fields. Physiotherapists are involved in clinical, academic, and research aspects.

Patient Access to Physiotherapy or Physical Therapy Services / Entry Point

• Patients are usually referred from

Current code of ethics and revision

In your region 17% of respondents reported that physical therapists need to be a member of their national body to practice. In your country physical therapists are not required to be a member of your organisation to practice.