Govt to table Medical Education Ordinance in parliament

KATHMANDU, March 28: Government is set to forward the Medical Education Ordinance in the parliament on Thursday seeking approval.

Minister for Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokharel took the decision to table to ordinance in the parliament after medical reform activist Dr Govinda KC warned to stage another hunger strike.

President Bidya Devi Bhandari on November 10 last year had certified the Ordinance. It was forwarded by the previous government on October 23.

After the frequent hunger strikes staged by Dr KC, the Ordinance was drafted incorporating all the suggestions made by Dr KC and as per the recommendation of Mathema-led panel in September last year.

The ordinance has provisioned setting up at least one government-run medical college in all seven provinces of the country within five years.

It places a moratorium on opening new medical colleges in the Kathmandu Valley for the next ten years.

KC has also demanded that all medical schools comply with the fee structure set by the government.

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.

As per the Constitution of Nepal, the ordinance should be approved by both the houses of the Parliament, to be formed after the elections, within the six months of the first sitting.