Workshop held to finalize Nepal's Guideline for Design and Construction of Health Buildings

Kathmandu, Bagmati Province – The Management Division, Department of Health Services (DOHS), under the Ministry of Health and Food Safety (MoHFS), and WHO Country Office for Nepal, convened a workshop on 29 June 2026 to finalize the updated version of the Guideline for Design and Construction of Health Buildings (2017). The workshop brought together more than 50 senior government officials from the MoHFS, the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction, alongside architects, engineers, planners, clinicians, public health professionals, provincial representatives and development partners. The updated guideline was finalized at the workshop through a rigorous technical and consultative review process. The revised guideline reflects Nepal's evolving health system by promoting functional, accessible, climate-resilient and people-centred health facilities, with strengthened standards for Infection Prevention and Control, WASH, waste management and emergency preparedness among others. It also provides practical guidance for both new construction and the upgrading of existing facilities to improve patient flow, service efficiency and staff productivity, while enhancing the quality, safety, accessibility and continuity of health services. WHO will continue to support the Management Division in preparing the guideline for endorsement and providing technical assistance to strengthen resilient, high-quality health infrastructure across Nepal.