Saudi Arabia, one of the member countries of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), has assured Nepal that it would revoke its decision to allow seven laboratories, which are not authorized by Nepal’s health ministry, to conduct medical tests of Gulf-bound Nepali workers. 

During a meeting with Nepal’s Labor Minister Mohammad Istiyak Rai on Thursday, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Nepal, Abdullah Bin Naseer Al-Busairy, said that he would play his part to annul the GCC’s “erroneous” decision.

“We are not against Nepal’s laws,” an official at the Ministry of Labor and Transport Management (MoLTM) quoted Saudi Arabia’s envoy Al-Busairy as telling Minister Rai, adding, “Nor is the GCC for ignoring Nepal’s laws.”

The GCC recently authorized Alkhaleef Medical Center, Aqua Diagnostic Services, Razam Medical Center, Saiba Medical Center, Mediasia Diagnostic Center, Al-Mashoor Diagnostic Center and Life Trust Medi Diagnostic Center -- all of which have set up their offices in Kathmandu - to conduct medical examinations of Gulf-bound workers.

However, none of these laboratories has been recognized by National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) in Nepal. According to Dr Geeta Shakya, the NPHL has allowed only 179 laboratories, which do not include these seven controversial new laboratories, for medical check-ups of workers so far.

Any laboratory, regardless of how well-equipped or internationally recognized, has to obtain a license from the NPHL before starting operation. The GCC’s own terms and conditions stipulate that only those laboratories that have approval from concerned governments can secure affiliation with it. However, in Nepal’s case, the GCC seems to have ignored its own regulations.

Nepali health centers, approved by the NPHL, are up in arms, demanding that the GCC rectify its decision. “We will not allow any of the GCC-approved laboratories to operate if the GCC does not rectify its decision before July 26,” said Khadga Bahadur Shrestha, president of Nepal Health Professionals Federation (NHPF).

Saudi envoy Al-Busairy has also informed that his government has already decided to open its embassy in Kathmandu.

Published on: 22 July 2011 | Republica