The Association of Private Medical and Dental College of Nepal on Saturday asked the government to review the Health Profession Education Policy in such a manner that the ‘fate of private medical colleges are also secured’.

In a statement, association President Dr Bhola Rijal, a senior gynaecologist, has objected to the panel’s recommendations to limit the number of medical seats to 100;  MBBS course fee to Rs3.5million; entrance examination for foreign students and to set minimum requirement of 60 percent in common entrance examination to secure an admission.  

The statement from the association follows days after the government made public the policy and formed a new panel chaired by a member of the National Planning Commission, also including education, finance and health secretaries as members, to develop an action plan of the policy in the next 30 days.

Experts, however, say the points raised by the association are vital tools to improve the quality of medical education sector in the country.

Dr Jagdish Agrawal, medical educationist at the Institute of Medicine, believes the problem with quality of education is not confined to MBBS education saying that nursing and other health professional courses, including health assistants, share similar problems. “The main problem here is affiliations granted haphazard that would often leave talented students without means to pay course fees out of the system,” said Dr Agrawal. “The issue should be debated but not in a way

that could hinder its implementation.”

Others point out that the policy will automatically put curbs on students going abroad for medical education. The provision to grant constent for overseas studies to only those students with 60 percent marks in the common entrance examination from concerned bodies will limit the numbers of students going abroad for medical education. Dr Bhagwan Koirala, a member of the Mathema committee, said the hue and cry over the report was solely because it would cut into the profits of investors.

“The main income source of the private medical colleges is the whopping fees paid by students. The ceiling on course fee and medical seats mean a reduced profit,” said Dr Koirala.

“But we think reducing the fee would encourage students with merit to pay for medical education. That consequently will boost admissions in Nepali colleges.”

The report drafted by a team led by former TU Vice-chancellor Kedar Bhakta Mathema has suggested decentralising medical colleges, setting up new entry standards for medical courses, and fee structures, among others. Putting a moratorium on new medical schools in Kathmandu Valley, the committee has asked the government to relocate the institutions that have already built infrastructure for medical education even if by purchasing their property, among others.

Objections to Mathema panel report

-    The Association of Private Medical and Dental College of Nepal demands a policy review to secure ‘fate of private medical colleges’

-    Objects the panel’s recommendations to limit the number of medical seats to 100;  MBBS course fee to Rs3.5million; entrance examination for foreign students and to set minimum requirement of 60 percent in common entrance examination to secure an admission

-    It will automatically put curbs on students going abroad for medical education