KATHMANDU, May 21: The government had included a plan in its policies and programs to introduce MBBS-level education at four locations, including Bharatpur Hospital in Chitwan.
In line with this policy, MBBS classes have commenced at Rapti Academy of Health Sciences (RAHS) and Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences (PoAHS). However, the MBBS programs at Bharatpur Hospital in Chitwan and Bir Hospital have been put on hold.
According to the hospital's chairman, Raju Paudel, although Bharatpur Hospital has fulfilled all necessary criteria to run MBBS classes, it has not been able to proceed due to the lack of approval from the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS). “Educational programs in health sciences have been running here since 2069 BS. By now, we have met all the requirements to offer MBBS courses,” Chairman Paudel stated, “If we are granted permission, we are ready to start the classes.”
The government had allocated a budget of Rs 50 million in the fiscal year 2024/25 for initiating MBBS programs at four hospitals, including Bharatpur Hospital. In line with this, the hospital had even published a call for applications last Jestha (mid-May/mid-June 2024) to begin the academic program.
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However, due to NAMS withholding approval, the program had to be canceled, Paudel added.
The NAMS must obtain approval from the Medical Education Commission (MEC) to run MBBS classes. According to Bharatpur Hospital Chairman Paudel, a lack of coordination between these two institutions has led to the suspension of MBBS programs at both Bir Hospital and Bharatpur Hospital.
“NAMS failed to complete the necessary procedures with the MEC on time, and the government could not ensure budget allocation, which resulted in halting our programs,” he said. “If NAMS grants approval, we will ensure the necessary resources.”
Similarly, the government is also preparing to launch MBBS programs at the Madhesh Institute of Health Sciences in Janakpur from this year. However, despite meeting the required standards and receiving budget allocations, classes have not started due to the lack of approval from NAMS, said the hospital’s Medical Superintendent Krishna Prasad Paudel.
According to him, Bharatpur Hospital has the required professors for the MBBS program. “For the time being, we have enough associate professors,” he said, “The physical infrastructure is also fully prepared according to the standards.”
The government has allocated a quota of 50 students for the MBBS program. Outside of the capital, each student would have to pay Rs 4.5 million. He claims that the fees from students and the budget from the hospital development committee would be sufficient to run the MBBS classes. Currently, classes for BSc Nursing, BNS, and MDMS are being conducted at the hospital. He also mentioned that MDMS classes related to newborns and spinal surgery are being conducted through fellowship programs.
Bharatpur Hospital is a federal hospital, receiving more than 2,000 patients daily. The hospital administration has been continuously meeting with the Prime Minister and former Prime Ministers to request permission to run MBBS classes. Recently, the Minister of Health and Population, Pradip Poudel, visited the hospital and expressed his commitment to support the launch of the MBBS program.
“An MBBS program is an academic program. It is not only related to the Ministry of Health but also to the MEC. Last year, the MEC did not grant approval, so the hospital could not offer MBBS courses. This year, we have already written to the MEC requesting permission,” he said.
Paudel said that in the past, Bharatpur was unable to offer the MBBS program due to the absence of an institute. However, he mentioned that even without the institute, the MBBS program would be conducted in Bharatpur through the efforts of the Ministry. He also stated that there are plans to operate the existing institutes under a unified law
