Medical sector reforms
The Himalayan Times
8 February 2018
Medical
sector reforms
It seems finally that the Deuba
led government is serious in addressing its commitment to bring reforms in the
medical education as demanded by Dr. Govind KC who has staged multiple hunger
strikes in line with the recommendation made by the Kedar Bhakta Mathema High
Level Commission. This government deserves appreciation for getting the bill
related to National Medical Education Ordinance authenticated by the president.
A bill related to this could not be passed through the then parliament due to non-cooperation
from UML and CPN-MC lawmakers.
The government had formed a
Medical Education Probe Committee (MEPC) on 17 April last year under the
chairmanship of Gauri Bahadur Karki, former chairman of the Special Court, and
directed it to give recommendations regarding the affiliation given to medical
and dental colleges, exam fees, allocation of seats for MBBS students,
officials involved in irregular activities and existing status of medical
colleges. This committee has now submitted its report to the government
recommending several actions and steps to be taken to bring reforms in the medical
education sector in the coming days “Probe committee suggests reforms in
medical education” (THT, February 6, Page2). The report has clearly recommended
punitive action 43 people involved in irregularities.
Likewise, the committee has strongly
recommended stern action against those medical colleges that have been found
admitting more number of students, overcharging fees and not providing quality
education. It was encouraging to know that the PM Deuba presided over the first
meeting of Medical Education Commission (MEC) which was formed with the mandate
of making policies regarding the letter of intent, affiliation and scrapping of
affiliation of medical colleges in accordance with the recommendation of the
Kedar Bhakta Mathema Commission “MEC holds first meeting, office to be set up
at MoE” (THT, February 6, Page 2). It remains to be seen whether the new
government likely to be led by UML Boss K.P.Oli will ensure the effective
implementation of the MEPC’s recommendations.
Rai
Biren Bangdel
Maharjgunj
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