KATHMANDU, Nov 13: Crusador of medical education reforms Dr Govinda KC has warned that he would resume new protests if the new parliament does not pass the medical education ordinance. The ordinance was issued by the president on Friday.
Speaking at a press conference organized in Kathmandu on Sunday to welcome the new ordinance, Dr KC said he is optimistic about the upcoming parliament. “I am hopeful that the new parliament will pass the ordinance,” he said. “If that does not happen, I will continue my crusade for medical education reforms,” he added.
The ordinance will lapse if it is not passed within two months of the first sitting of the new parliament.
Medical Education ordinance to be tabled in Parliament
It is learnt that CPN-UML and the CPN (Maoist Center) are against the ordinance.
The ordinance has provisioned setting up at least one government-run medical college in all seven provinces of the country within five years and places a moratorium on opening new medical colleges in the Kathmandu Valley for the next ten years.
Similarly, it has provisioned a common entrance exam system nationwide for MBBS.
Likewise, specialist doctors should serve for at least two years in remote areas or three years in the accessible areas after their completion of their studies, according to the ordinance.
Also, the government-run medical colleges should allocate 75 percent of the MBBS seats for scholarships. “Another major achievement of the ordinance is that it has provisioned formation of Medical Education Commission, which will monitor all medical colleges, and define criteria and infrastructures to operate medical colleges,” said Dr Singh. “If anyone snatches away the hard-won provisions of the ordinance from people, we will again launch appropriate movement against such move,” he added.
Dr KC, at the press conference, also demanded that the government take action against Dr Ankur Shah, a member of the Nepal Medical Council. Dr KC made the demand after Dr Shah was reportedly found arranging files at the office of the controversial Kathmandu National Medical College (KNMC) on Thursday.
The Tribhuvan University had earlier scrapped its decision to grant affiliation to the KNMC. However, the Supreme Court recently issued a stay order against the cancellation of the affiliation granted to KNMC.
“The judiciary of the country is in favor of the mafia. I am not afraid of contempt of the court but I will stage protests against the court makes mistakes if it is necessary,” he added.
