CONTINUE GOOD INITIATIVES
(This is in response to a news report published in The Kathmandu Post dated Sept.4, 2012)
Having read the news report (“VC
appointment in Patan Hospital raises eyebrows” Sept.4, Page 1 and 4), and
correlating my 25 years experience in the rural development sectors with this news
report, I was amazed to know about Dr. Arjun Karki’s initiated health programs
in Patan Academy of Health Science (PAHT) during his tenure as the VC. I think,
none of the health institutions in Nepal has initiated such rural health component
while studying MBBS like the way PAHT has introduced. Among other Dr. Karki’s
initiated wonderful program was that whoever is granted with full scholarship
by PAHT to study 4 Year MBBS should at-least spend four years after completing
the MBBS in the rural health centres to serve the rural people. Likewise,
whoever is provided with 50% scholarship is required to spend 2 years. I am
sure this kind of program would help the freshly completed MBBS students to
understand about the realities of rural health and develop empathy for the
disadvantaged and underprivileged population. I hope Dr, Sangita Bhandari,
newly appointed VC, would give continuation to Dr. Karki’s initiated such
wonderful health programs in the days ahead.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj, Kathmandu
