Medical sector reforms

The Himalayan Times

8 February 2018

Medical sector reforms

It seems finally that the Deuba led government is serious in addressing its commitment to bring reforms in the medical education as demanded by Dr. Govind KC who has staged multiple hunger strikes in line with the recommendation made by the Kedar Bhakta Mathema High Level Commission. This government deserves appreciation for getting the bill related to National Medical Education Ordinance authenticated by the president. A bill related to this could not be passed through the then parliament due to non-cooperation from UML and CPN-MC lawmakers.

The government had formed a Medical Education Probe Committee (MEPC) on 17 April last year under the chairmanship of Gauri Bahadur Karki, former chairman of the Special Court, and directed it to give recommendations regarding the affiliation given to medical and dental colleges, exam fees, allocation of seats for MBBS students, officials involved in irregular activities and existing status of medical colleges. This committee has now submitted its report to the government recommending several actions and steps to be taken to bring reforms in the medical education sector in the coming days “Probe committee suggests reforms in medical education” (THT, February 6, Page2). The report has clearly recommended punitive action 43 people involved in irregularities.

Likewise, the committee has strongly recommended stern action against those medical colleges that have been found admitting more number of students, overcharging fees and not providing quality education. It was encouraging to know that the PM Deuba presided over the first meeting of Medical Education Commission (MEC) which was formed with the mandate of making policies regarding the letter of intent, affiliation and scrapping of affiliation of medical colleges in accordance with the recommendation of the Kedar Bhakta Mathema Commission “MEC holds first meeting, office to be set up at MoE” (THT, February 6, Page 2). It remains to be seen whether the new government likely to be led by UML Boss K.P.Oli will ensure the effective implementation of the MEPC’s recommendations.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharjgunj  

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