The first meeting of the Health Profession Education Commission, led by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, on Monday decided to assign the Public Service Commission to begin the process to appoint the HPEC vice-chairperson.

The commission is an overarching body to regulate health profession education, including medicine, in the country. The first meeting was held almost three months after President Bidya Devi Bhandari authenticated the Health Profession Education Ordinance.

“The commission [PSC] will soon begin the process to appoint the HPEC vice-chair,” said Parashar Prasad Koirala, chairman of the University Grants Commission. The vice-chairperson will lead the commission. It has also been decided that the Education Ministry will remain the focal point to run the HPEC until a full-fledged structure is put in place. However, while the HPEC takes its time to become fully functional, it is agreed that all the tasks will be carried out as usual. The MBBS admission process and allocation of seats will be decided by the Nepal Medical Council while examinations will be conducted by the respective universities. According to the ordinance, the HPEC will be the main body responsible for holding central exams of medical sciences including medicine and nursing courses. The law also bars opening of new medical colleges inside Kathmandu Valley for the next 10 years.