AFFORDABLE MEDICAL EDUCATION

The Kathmandu Post

2 April 2017

AFFORDABLE MEDICAL EDUCATION

It has been a huge challenge for the government to send doctors to hospitals located in rural areas. There are several reasons for this longstanding problem. The main reasons are the costs involved in the completing the post graduate studies and the salary public hospitals provide. Over Rs. 5 million is required to complete a post-graduate study in medicine, whereas the government hospitals pay about Rs. 40,000/- as monthly salary (“A healthy health policy” March 29, Editorial).

Last month, the Health Ministry announced 117 vacancies for specialist positions. It was reported that only 38 doctors expressed interest. Not a single application for ENT and general medicine positions was received. Doctors and health personnel are not interested to work in the public hospitals. Private hospitals offer remuneration that is several times higher than what is offered by government hospitals. Most private hospitals have been doing extremely well, both in terms of making profits and providing services of international standards.

The current scenario shows that the government has a lot to do if it intends to fill the required positions of specialist doctors and other health personnel in public hospitals. It needs to prioritise affordable and quality medical education for competent students. The government has to be committed to the implementation of policies aimed at boosting the public health sector. If private hospitals can afford to pay higher salaries and provide perks and benefits to their staff, so too, should the government. People in rural areas are being deprived of even basic health services. Who is to blame for this?

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj

http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/printedition/news/2017-04-02/affordable-medical-education.html