The brain drain of healthcare professionals and its impact on the healthcare system : a case study of a private hospital in Pokhara, Nepal | |
| Author | Godar, Mahima |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.SM-25-01 |
| Subject(s) | Brain drain--Nepal Health care reform--Nepal Hospitals--Nepal--Management |
| Note | A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Business Administration |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The emigration of medical experts poses a critical challenge to developing economies like Nepal, where the workforce shortage undermines healthcare quality and national development. Despite increasing global attention, limited studies have explored Nepal's context-specific dynamics of brain drain. This research investigates socio-economic implications, systematic causes, and potential solutions to address brain drain in the healthcare industry. Utilizing a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, it identifies significant push factors such as low wages, inadequate infrastructure, limited career progression opportunities, and unstable political scenarios, and conversely, pull factors including higher remuneration, professional stability, and access to advanced training abroad. Studies show that brain drain elevates the dependency on foreign aid by diminishing the capacity of institutions and disrupting healthcare delivery, especially in rural areas. This trend hampers Nepal’s progress toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), by depleting human capital and undermining educational investments. The report recommends implementing merit based career routes, offering competitive compensation, enhancing working conditions, and promoting leadership approaches that foster employee engagement and retention to mitigate these impacts. By establishing evidence-based insights specific to Nepal and transferable recommendations for other low- and middle-income nations, this research contributes meaningfully to global discussions on brain drain. Offering targeted and practical suggestions, the study equips policymakers, healthcare administrators, and scholars with actionable tools to address healthcare challenges and strengthen systems in resource-constrained settings. |
| Year | 2025 |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| School | School of Management |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Publication code=SM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Levermore, Roger |
| Examination Committee(s) | Junaid, Muhammad;Zimmermann, Willi |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | His Majesty the King’s Scholarships (Thailand) |
| Degree | Research Studies Project Report (M. BA.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2025 |