KATHMANDU, MARCH 31 The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has announced that government-owned and government-approved health institutions can now register to conduct mandatory pre-departure medical examinations for Nepali migrant workers, opening up the health screening process beyond the existing network of certified private facilities. The decision, taken at the ministerial level on March 31, follows provisions already embedded in Nepal's foreign employment legislation. The Foreign Employment Act 2064 requires all workers bound for foreign employment to undergo a health examination at a government-approved health institution before departure, while the Foreign Employment Regulations 2064 explicitly permit the government to direct that such screenings be conducted at government-owned health facilities. Acting on these provisions, the ministry has initiated the registration process under the Health Institution Listing, Renewal and Monitoring Procedure 2072, inviting eligible institutions, both government-owned and those holding prior government approval, to apply for listing as authorised pre-departure medical screening centres for migrant workers. The move is expected to expand access to affordable pre-departure health checks for the large numbers of Nepali workers who travel abroad for employment each year, potentially reducing costs and waiting times associated with the current system.