How many health posts are there in Nepal?

Published: June 3, 2023

Last Modified: July 12, 2025

List of health posts in Nepal

Most of Nepal’s health care facilities are concentrated in urban areas. Rural health facilities often lack adequate funding. In 2021, Nepal had 10 health centers, 110 hospitals, 3,789 health posts, 3,176 “sub-health posts,” and 203 primary health centers” that served villages. In addition, there were 1,259 physicians, one for every 18,400 people.

Each health institution has been targeted to serve 300 to 3,000 patients in the respective areas with respect to the resources available. However, the situation of the health posts in rural parts of Nepal is sadly pathetic. Many of them have been running without enough manpower and resources, with barely enough rooms for patients and hence less effective services.

Nepal is a Federal Democratic-Republican country that has been geographically divided into 7 provinces and 77 districts. The availability of health services and the establishment of health posts and health institutions are not proportionate.

Some of the hospitals in Nepal providing advanced and best medical services to patients are:

1. Chitwan Medical College and Teaching Hospital
2. Norvic International Hospital
3. Vayodha Hospitals
4. Grande International Hospital
5. B & B Hospital
6. Dhulikhel Hospital
7. Sahid Gangalal National Heart Center
8. Bir Hospital
9. Blue Cross Hospital
10. Everest Hospital
11. Himal Hospital
12. Civil Service Hospital
13. Medicare National Hospital and Research Center
14. Bharosha Hospital
15. Alka Hospital
16. Star Hospital Ltd.
17. Nobel Hospital
18. Kantipur Hospital
19.  Maternity Hospital
20. Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, and so on.

According to the institutional framework of the DoHS and MoHP, the health post (from an institutional perspective) is the first contact point for basic health services. However, in reality, the HP is the referral center for the volunteer cadres of TBAs and FCHVs as well as a venue for community-based activities such as PHC outreach clinics and EPI clinics.

Each level above the HP is a referral point in a network from the HP to the PHCC, on to district zonal and regional hospitals, and finally to specialty tertiary care centers in Kathmandu. This referral hierarchy has been designed to ensure that the majority of the population receives public health and minor treatment in places accessible to them and at a price they can afford. Inversely, the system works as a supporting mechanism for lower levels by providing logistical, financial, supervisory, and technical support from the center to the periphery.

The health centers have spread across the country, but unfortunately, only a few health posts have been able to provide quality service. Hospitals, primary healthcare centers, health posts, urban health centers, community health units, and other health facilities are present all across the country, but a number of patients are still compelled to travel abroad for quality treatment. This shows the need for transformation, advancement, and a proportionate distribution of health facilities in Nepal.

Number of Public Health Post Facilities in Nepal

SOURCE: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES (2074/75)