A week after forging an agreement with Dr Govinda KC, the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) on Tuesday registered amendments to the National Medical Education Bill. The government and Dr KC on July 25 sealed a nine-point agreement, before the agitating doctor ended his fast on the 27th day.

NCP Chief Whip Dev Gurung, Whip Shanta Chaudhary and lawmaker Krishna Bhakta Pokhrel proposed amendments to 22 clauses of the legislation, retaining the spirit of the crusading doctor’s demands. Major provisions of the amendment include a 10-year moratorium on establishment of new medical colleges in Kathmandu Valley, barring one university from affiliating more than five medical schools and requiring a medical college to run a hospital for three years before claiming affiliation.

Providing 75 percent scholarships to students in public medical colleges and setting up one government teaching hospital in each province within five years are among the other proposals.

The amendments will be presented to Parliament along with the bill, which was tabled in the Lower House without the provisions. The bill was presented to the House of Representatives on July 27 after the government assured the opposition Nepali Congress of executing the agreement signed with Dr KC.

Ignoring opposition from Dr KC, the government had registered the bill unilaterally in an attempt to allow affiliations to some medical schools including the Manmohan Academy of Health Sciences and the B&C Medical College.

The NC obstructed the federal parliament to press the government for addressing the concerns of the agitating doctor by withdrawing the bill. Along with three NCP leaders, Congress lawmakers including Gagan Thapa also registered similar amendments. Three NCP leaders including Aasha Kumari BK registered another amendment demanding an inclusive admission process.

Changes in medical education bill

• NCP lawmakers propose amendments to 22 clauses of the medical education bill
• Major changes include 10-year moratorium on establishment of new medical colleges in Kathmandu Valley, and barring one university from affiliating more than five medical schools
• Providing 75 pc scholarships to students in public colleges and setting up one government teaching hospital in each province among other proposals
• Leader Aasha Kumari BK seeks inclusive admission process