Overview

Sudurpashchim Province, with a population of over 2.9 million, has seen significant improvements in health and education outcomes in recent years but still lags behind national averages in infrastructure, specialized care, and technical education. There are 1043 in total  health organization units in Sudurpashchim province (958 public and 85 nonpublic organization unit).  With strategic geographic positioning, growing youth population, and rising local demand for quality services, this cluster presents immense investment opportunities. ECD center 5121, Schools 4105, CTEVT Supported Schools 234 in sudurpashchim province

Source: NHFS (2021), MoEST EMIS Data (2022),(NPC, 2023)

Why Invest in Health and Education in Sudurpashchim?

• Growing Demand: 43% of the province’s population is under the age of 19, signaling a high demand for quality secondary and technical education.
• Healthcare Gap: Doctor-to-population ratio in Sudurpashchim is approximately 1:19,000, far below WHO’s standard of 1:1000.
• Geographic Importance: Key transit points like Dhangadhi and Mahendranagar are emerging as regional hubs for education and health services.

Priority Investment Sector

1.      Residential Model Secondary Schools (Budhanilkantha Model)

The concept of establishing high-quality residential schools focused on science, technology, and civic education aligns with the growing demand from rural families for urban-standard education within the province.

2.      Polytechnic Institutes

Polytechnic in, focusing on Agriculture, Hydropower Technology, Construction, and ICT, aims to serve over 1,000 students annually through skills-oriented training aligned with national employment priorities and foreign labor market demands

3.      Teaching Hospital Project

Fills critical gap in specialized care (e.g., surgery, pediatrics, mental health) and reduces outmigration for treatment.

4.   Vocational & Technical Training Centers (TVET):

Establish and operate specialized TVET institutes offering market-driven skill development programs in areas like tourism, hospitality, construction, IT, and agro-processing, addressing industry demands.

5.   Student Housing & Support Services:

Develop modern student accommodation, libraries, and other support services around educational hubs to attract and retain students.  

6.      E-Health and Telemedicine Centers

The idea is to establish digitally connected health centers in remote districts like Bajura and Darchula, utilizing AI-assisted diagnostics to improve healthcare access. A pilot program can be launched in these hilly regions to test feasibility and impact. This initiative aims to reduce the travel burden for patients and enhance local health service delivery. Support through ICT infrastructure grants, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) and the Nepal Telemedicine Association, will be critical for successful implementation.

Support of Sudurpashchim Province Government to Investors

The Sudurpashchim Province Government is committed to facilitating public-private partnerships (PPP) and foreign direct investment (FDI) in the health and education sectors through legal and institutional support. Under the constitutional mandate of Schedule 6 and Schedule 9 of the Constitution of Nepal (2015), the province exercises concurrent rights in managing health and education services. The Local Government Operation Act (2017) and the Public Private Partnership and Investment Act (2019) provide the legal foundation for investment collaboration. Investors will benefit from streamlined approval processes, access to public land, tax incentives, and operational support through coordination with line ministries, the Social Development Ministry, Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), Nepal Telemedicine Association, CTEVT Regional Coordination Unit and local municipalities.

Expected Social and Economic Impact

• Improve literacy and reduce dropout through modern education access.
• Localized specialized care and reduced healthcare outmigration.
• Job creation through skill development, especially among youth and women.
• Healthier, more educated workforce to drive sustainable regional development.