Occupational Health in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Nepal: A Review of Policies, Practices, and Challenges

Ensuring the physical, emotional, and social well-being of teachers, staff, and students inside higher education institutions depends on occupational health. But in Nepal, occupational health is still a neglected policy field with little institutional focus and uneven application. This review intends to evaluate the present state of occupational health in Nepalese HEIs by means of an analysis of pertinent policies, institutional practices, and international benchmarks and to recommend evidence-based changes.Examining peer-reviewed academic papers, government documents, program frameworks and international occupational health guidelines this study applies a systematic literature review approach. Thematic content analysis was used to aggregate ideas across five main areas: policy frameworks, institutional practices, global models, implementation gaps, and reform initiatives. Although worldwide models offer strong and transferable techniques, Nepali HEIs still struggle with low institutional priority, poor inter-ministerial cooperation, and insufficient finance. The study underscores the need to integrate occupational health into quality assurance systems, institutional governance, and national education reform agendas. Focusing particularly on occupational health in the framework of Nepal's higher education system, this is the first thorough scholarly review. It closes a vital information gap and offers a policy-relevant road map for institutional reform, therefore matching occupational well-being with national development objectives and the "Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali" vision.Among its practical suggestions for HEIs and legislators are creating Occupational Health Units, including mental health services, implementing lab safety rules, encouraging ergonomic digital learning environments, and including occupational health into the QAA process. These actions can improve student well-being, staff effectiveness, and institutional resilience.