National Medical Education Bill passed with majority

Kathmandu, Jan 9 : The National Medical Education Bill- 2075 BS has been endorsed by the Education and Health Committee remaining under the House of Representatives which serves as the Lower House in the bicameral Federal Parliament of Nepal.

The committee meeting today passed the bill with a majority as 14 among 18 members present were in favour of the document while remaining four stood against of it. The bill was endorsed by a majority as per the Article 181 of the House of Representatives Regulations- 2075 BS.

Committee president Jayapuri Gharti presented the proposal seeking the endorsement of bill before the meeting. In the prior meeting of the committee, Minister for Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokhrel viewed that the bill should incorporate the spirit of agreements reached between the government and Dr Govinda KC in the past.

In today’s session, the minister expressed his hope that the National Medical Education Commission proposed in the bill would be able to address the related issues.

Committee member Yogesh Bhattarai claimed that the bill had appeared bearing in mind the agreements reached between the two sides in the past and parliament’s supremacy. He was of the view that Dr KC should accept the document. “Dr KC has won from the parliament and he should accept it.”

Another committee member and former Health Minister Gagan Kumar Thapa who presented a different opinion in the meeting said it was really unfortunate that the bill was passed by the committee on the basis of majority against the government- Dr KC agreement.

Another member Umakant Chaudhary termed the bill against the agreement between the government and Dr KC.

What is in the bill report

No letter of intent shall be given to establish and operate a medical institution to run the bachelor level programmes on medical, dental and nursing subjects in the Kathmandu Valley for the next ten years; one shall pass the central entrance exam to pursue the medical education and anyone completing the medical education on the government scholarship shall compulsory complete two years in the government service.

A university shall not be allowed to grant permission to more than five teaching institutions to run the medical classes, but in case of those colleges already obtaining the affiliations and completing the criteria, decision shall be taken by the National Medical Education Commission ( proposed in the bill).

No teaching institution shall be given a letter of intent for running classes and internship (towards medical) until they have at least a 300-bed hospital in operation and for conducting the classes towards dental and nursing programmes, the operation of a 100-bed ( at least) facility is mandatory.

The National Medical Education Commission shall fix polices and criteria regarding the determination of standard and level of all medical education related programmes at the center and province and give required direction to Universities and Council in regard with the medical education.

A body assigned by the National Medical Education Commission shall conduct programmes of proficiency certificate level under the Council of Technical Education and Vocational Training; and the public medical institution shall compulsorily ensure 50 percent of the total available seats under the bachelor level programmes free of cost.

Similarly, a medical university shall be established and operated and medical education-related teaching institutes shall be gradually transferred into non profitable and serve oriented organisations. RSS