Nepal to provide telemedicine to expat workers

The initiative is aimed at addressing health problems faced by Nepalese expat workers, according to a report by daily newspaper República. The government’s Foreign Employment Board has stated that the service will focus on offering ‘timely advice, suggestions and consultations’.

The general telemedicine service will be available during Nepalese office hours, excluding public holidays, by phone and via social media channels such as Viber, WhatsApp and Imo.im.

Specialist services will also be provided every Sunday and Friday, at the recommendation of a medical officer.

Prescription services will be provided online, and all expenses will be paid for by the Foreign Employment Board.

Expat labour is a significant contributor to the Nepalese economy. According to one report by Deutsche Welle, over 620,000 Nepalese workers moved to the Middle East for work in 2021 alone. Similarly, the Financial Times reported that in 2022, a total of 2,472 workers arrived in the UK under that country’s seasonal worker scheme.

The global telemedicine market is forecast to reach a market value of $590.9 billion by 2032 – up from $63.5 billion in 2022.