Medical education

The Himalayan Times

24 October 2019

Medical education

It was and is not uncommon to see the private medical colleges, which are run by group of people having one way or the other political affiliation, charging exorbitant fees from the inspiring students, who wanted to pursue their medical education in the country, rather than going abroad for the same. The past governments for many years and this government had never bothered to seriously look into such malpractices until Dr. Govind KC, an anti-corruption crusader, staged several fast-onto-death protests against these wrongdoings. Not all the agreements which were signed with him were properly implemented. 

A few months ago, the government constituted the Medical Education Commission (MEC) as demanded by Dr. KC, which has been entrusted with the authority to deal with the medical education system. Recently, the MEC had decided to revise the fee structure of MBBS from NRs. 3.85 million to NRs. 4.02 million in the valley and NRs. 4.02 million to 4.44 million outside the valley and for BDS course to NRs. 2.02 million from NRs. 1.93 million, following the complaint lodged by the Association of Private Medical and Dental Colleges (APMDC) citing that the old fee structures were not enough to properly run the colleges. Now, the APMDC is in agitation against this fee revision and blaming the MEC for not consulting them before taking this decision “Undue demands” (THT, October 22, Page 6).

However, these medical colleges were reaping upto 65 per cent profit even from the old fee as found by the sub-panel of the Parliamentary Education and Health Committee. There are other demands of APMDC among others asking the government to increase the intake of MBBS students from 100 to 150 and for BDS to 75 from 50. Hundreds of students are waiting for the admission date, which is yet to be announced by the government. There are 12 private medical colleges in the country, which are supposed to provide qualitative medical education to the aspiring students who will ultimately be providing health services to the general people. So, it is yet to be seen how the MEC takes its stand on its decision. 

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj