KATHMANDU: A task force formed by Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Paudel has submitted a report with suggestions regarding the allowance for residential doctors enrolled in postgraduate medical education.
The task force, led by Additional Secretary Tanka Barakoti, has recommended that residential doctors in private medical colleges be provided an allowance comparable to that given to students in government teaching institutions for the upcoming academic session.
Paudel had established the task force to address dissatisfaction among residential doctors regarding their allowance.
The task force, which includes senior officials from the Ministry and the medical sector, has suggested preparing an action plan for the immediate implementation of the allowance.
The report also recommends that the overall process of seat allocation and student admission in private and government medical institutions be carried out without delay, based on discussions from the 15th meeting of the Medical Education Commission held on November 24, in line with the academic calendar for the new educational session starting from the Baishakh 1 (April 14, 2025).
Regarding fees for medical education at various levels, the report highlights that the Commission has yet to finalize a procedure for fee determination.
The task force recommends the creation of a working procedure for fee fixation, under the coordination of the Vice-Chair of the Medical Education Commission, and has urged the Commission to prepare and implement the fee determination procedure as soon as possible.
The task force has also suggested the formation of a high-level committee to address key issues related to the quality and accessibility of medical education, strengthening the integrated entrance exam, scholarship arrangements, student services, work tenure, and seat allocation for foreign students, as well as updating existing laws.
Minister Paudel, upon receiving the report, has committed to implementing the suggestions provided by the task force.
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