Kathmandu, March 31

Three institutions providing medical education have taken strong exception to some of the provisions of the proposed National Medical Bill-2073 BS.

The proposed bill is currently under discussion in the Women, Children, Social Welfare and Elderly Citizens Committee of the Parliament.

Vice-chancellors of Kathmandu University, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, and the National Academy of Medical Sciences, Bir Hospital have taken exception to the provision regarding formation of a commission. Speaking at an interaction organised by the parliamentary committee here today, they argued that there was no need for a separate commission to regulate institutions providing medical education.

The bill has proposed forming a separate medical commission under the chairpersonship of the prime minister to regulate medical education sector and enhance quality of education.

However, the vice-chancellors argued there was no need for a separate commission as proposed in the bill since the Medical Council was already there to regulate the medical education sector. Vice Chancellor of Kathmandu University Prof Dr Ram Kantha Makaju, Vice Chancellor of PAHS Prof Dr Bharat Yadav, and Vice Chancellor of NAMS Prof Dr Ganesh Gurung stressed on empowering the existing regulatory body instead of forming another body. They called for more autonomy to universities and medical institutions. Education Minister Dhaniram Paudel said the National Medical Education Bill will not curtail the autonomy of universities. Committee Chair Ranju Kumari Jha said the proposed bill would be finalised only after seeking suggestions from stakeholders.