KATHMANDU: The 16th meeting of the Medical Education Commission, held today under the chairmanship of Prime Minister KP Oli, has decided to provide a government-level (eighth-level) subsistence allowance to resident doctors studying in private medical colleges.
The meeting, convened at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Singha Durbar, also decided to maintain the current facilities (Rs. 48,700 per month) for resident doctors based on discussions with the concerned parties and the reports received.
The Commission concluded that a final decision would be made in a future meeting after further discussions on related issues.
The meeting also addressed the issue of private medical colleges charging a fee of Rs. 2.3 million per year from students who do not agree to sign a two-year study-and-work agreement with the respective college.
Currently, private medical colleges provide a monthly subsistence allowance of Rs. 20,000.
Amid ongoing protests by postgraduate students demanding equal facilities and disruptions to Commission exams, an initiative was taken under Prime Minister Oli’s leadership to resolve the issue.
The Commission, which oversees the integrated regulation of medical education, monitoring, conducting entrance exams, determining student seat numbers in educational institutions, and setting tuition fees, also discussed the process of initiating necessary amendments to the National Medical Education Act, 2075 BS.
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