KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has directed the relevant ministries and agencies to resolve the ongoing dispute over the facilities provided to resident doctors and postgraduate (PG) students in medical colleges through mutual discussions.
Chairing the 15th meeting of the Medical Education Commission at his residence in Baluwatar, Prime Minister Oli urged key officials, including Minister for Education, Science, and Technology Bidya Bhattarai, Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Paudel, and Commission Vice President Prof. Dr. Anjani Kumar Jha, to engage stakeholders from both private and government sectors to find an amicable solution.
The directive comes after the Ministry of Health and Population requested that resident doctors in private colleges receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 48,000, equivalent to the government-provided facility for eighth-level medical officers.
The Commission has asked medical colleges to submit a self-evaluation form by November 26, outlining the support they can provide resident doctors.
Prime Minister Oli emphasized the need to consider the profit and loss of private medical colleges when reaching a balanced resolution.
Dr. Gyanendra Man Singh Karki, President of the Association of Medical and Dental Colleges of Nepal, highlighted the challenges of providing PG students with living allowances equivalent to government medical officers’ salaries, urging the Prime Minister to mediate the issue.
The meeting also reviewed various agenda items, including progress reports from the last fiscal year, amendments to policies, programs for the current fiscal year, letters of intent and affiliations for technical and vocational education, ownership transfer and scholarships.
Prime Minister Oli called for practical and equitable solutions to ensure progress in Nepal’s medical education sector while addressing the concerns of all stakeholders.
Comment