Himalayan News Service

Pokhara, January 4

The Pokhara University (PU) is preparing to set up another medical college in the district. "We have put forward the proposal to transform the regional hospital to a Centre for Medical Education," Prof Dr Purshottam Banskota, Vice-chancellor of PU said, adding that PU would start medical education within a year.

"The regional hospital consisting of 200 beds would be transformed to 700-bed hospital. The PU Act was enacted in 1996 and academics started from 1997. Altogether, 5,081 students are enrolled, which includes students from affiliated colleges. "There have been talks to establish a medical college in Pokhara affiliated to PU," Dr Banskota said.

The university has also proposed schemes of providing scholarships to eight medical students from backward and disadvantaged families. There are 350 students in the Manipal College of Medicine, the sole medical college in Pokhara. The estimated capital to run the college for four years is Rs 280 million and private sector is also encouraged to invest in the college, he stated. With the establishment of a new medical college, the city of education, health and tourism would be benefited.