MELAN Demand Health Laboratory Standards: 8 Points to Minister

MELAN Demand Health Laboratory

5th November 2025, Kathmandu

The Medical Laboratory Association of Nepal (MELAN) has submitted an extensive eight-point charter of demands addressed to the Minister of Health and Population.

MELAN Demand Health Laboratory

This crucial initiative calls for comprehensive improvements in the quality of health laboratory services, effective workforce management, and the professional welfare of laboratory personnel.

MELAN’s action emphasizes the critical need for immediate reform within Nepal’s healthcare diagnostics sector. MELAN asserts that the health laboratory sector serves as the fundamental cornerstone of modern medical practice.

It highlights the irreplaceable role of laboratories in disease identification, monitoring the effectiveness of treatment, and driving medical research.

The organization actively reminds the Ministry of its constructive cooperation with bodies like the National Public Health Laboratory and the Nepal Health Professional Council in establishing key regulatory frameworks.

Focus on Quality and Standardized Practice

MELAN’s letter underscores its historical contribution to developing national guidelines, including the National Laboratory Policy (2069), the Laboratory Establishment and Operation Standard Guidelines (2073), and the Health Institution Operation Standards (2077).

Despite these existing frameworks, MELAN notes that the sector still faces significant challenges that compromise quality and fairness. The organization specifically addresses the issue of predatory pricing.

MELAN observes that the lack of uniformity in laboratory service charges fosters unhealthy market competition and often leads to the exploitation of service users. They demand the establishment of scientific standards to determine service fees, ensuring fair pricing and preventing customer deception.

Infrastructure and Staffing Challenges in Government Labs

A major component of the demand focuses on structural improvements within government facilities. MELAN calls for the expansion of physical infrastructure in government laboratories. Furthermore, it presses the Ministry to strictly adhere to the Public Health Act (2075) and its regulations (2077).

Specifically, MELAN demands the creation of permanent staffing positions based on workload and minimum prescribed standards. Until the full allocation of permanent staff is completed, the organization strongly advocates for the creation of temporary positions to bridge the immediate staffing gap.

Ensuring Fairness for Laboratory Personnel

MELAN actively fights against discriminatory policies regarding compensation and benefits. The organization calls for an end to the discriminatory policy that currently restricts risk allowance only to permanent employees working in laboratories.

Instead, MELAN demands that all contractual, temporary, and wage-based employees performing laboratory work receive equal risk allowance.

Furthermore, the association asserts a strong position on regulating the private and community sectors, demanding that these laboratories ensure transparent provision of minimum wages, risk allowances, and service benefits, complete with formal appointment letters, for their personnel.

Regulatory and Career Development Demands

MELAN also targets essential changes in the regulatory and professional development structures. The association calls for an amendment to the Nepal Health Professional Council Act to facilitate elections and finalize the council’s structure.

Furthermore, they demand that the Health Service Act and Regulations be modified to ensure equal opportunities for laboratory personnel in service entry, career advancement, and leadership roles.

This step aims to rectify historical imbalances and ensure that laboratory professionals have a clear and equitable path to leadership positions within the health sector. In closing, MELAN demands to be included as an essential stakeholder organization in all policy formulation and implementation related to laboratory services.

The association issues a firm warning that it will be forced to take further action if these legitimate and crucial demands are not appropriately addressed by the Ministry.

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