Neurosurgical Workforce of Nepal

Abstract

BackgroundHistorical aspect and some of the ongoing neurosurgical scenario in Nepal were reported and published earlier. However, the neurosurgical workforce with updated data of neurosurgical manpower in Nepal has not yet been published. This study aims to explore the exact number of neurosurgical workforces in Nepal involved in different administrative territories and in different health sectors. MethodsIt is a cross-sectional descriptive study. A nationwide survey was conducted through personal communication from April to September of 2023. Data of neurosurgeons in all the seven provinces of the country and the major sectors of health services were collected. Similarly, the number of neurosurgeons every year from 1988 in the country was also collected. ResultsUntil September 2023, there are 114 actively practicing neurosurgeons in the country for the population of 29,164,578 meaning one neurosurgeon serving about 255829 people. Neurosurgeons are available in all the seven provinces of the country. More than half of the neurosurgeons in the country are fully involved in private practice while about one third are in medical college and less than one-fifth are in the government service. Capital city has more than half of the neurosurgeons of the country. ConclusionNumber of neurosurgeons in the country is still small, however its ratio with population is better than most of the other South Asian countries. In short duration Neurosurgical service flourished significantly in Nepal and is available in all the provinces and thus it has become more easily accessible.