Most health research centres not doing research: Report

A newly released report has revealed that most of the institutions running as hospitals and health research centres are not doing any research and evading taxes.

A study report prepared after three months of study by Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) said of the 367 such institutes active in 40 districts till 14 July 2005, nearly 76.5 percent were not conducting health research.

The report states less than 15 percent of such institutes displaying their signboards, as "research centre" did know about the meaning of research. The report further states, "These institutes take the regular check up of the stool, urine and blood as health research activities. The report concludes that the very terminology ‘research’ helps them attract more customers.

"They also said that the main reason behind putting the word 'Research' in their signboard was to deduct government tax, compete with other centres and make it fancy and catchy for the public to draw their attention towards their centre," the report concludes.

The report also said that most of the research institutions are centered in the capital or in city areas.

The report also states that Norvic Health Care and Research Centre, Om Hospital and Research Centre, Medicare Hospital and Research Centre among others in Kathmandu did not allow the council’s investigation team to assess the details of ‘research activities’ carried out by them.

The institutes have been evading taxes while importing goods from other countries in the name of research, the report said.

According to officials, most of the institutes registered for health research have not been carrying out research activities and are involved in tax evasion as well.

The report recommended for making provision of taking pre-approval from NHRC before registration of such research centres and the NHRC should prepare Terms and Conditions for putting the word "Research" in the title name of any organization among others. nepalnews.com pb/ia Mar 10 06