BAGLUNG: Preparations have begun to launch a three-year nursing education program at Dhaulagiri Hospital in Baglung, with plans to construct a separate laboratory within the hospital for academic purposes.
The Gandaki Provincial Government had included the introduction of nursing education at Dhaulagiri Hospital in its policies and programs for the current fiscal year. According to the Ministry of Health, a budget of Rs 7 million has been allocated this fiscal year to develop the required infrastructure, including classrooms and laboratory facilities.
Gandaki Province Health Minister Krishna Prasad Pathak said that although the admission process for nursing education could not be initiated this year, funds have already been released to prepare the infrastructure, with student enrollment planned for the next academic year. He added that arrangements for classrooms and laboratories will be completed within the current fiscal year.
Dr. Kiran Tiwari, Chief Medical Superintendent of Dhaulagiri Hospital, informed that the hospital will introduce a proficiency certificate level Midwifery Educational Program from the coming fiscal year to ensure the availability of trained midwives in hospitals and birthing centers across the province.
He explained that the three-year course, which can be pursued after completing SEE, focuses on pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care. Although admissions were initially planned for the current fiscal year, delays occurred due to the Genji movement and other challenges. Infrastructure development will be completed this year, and admissions will open next year.
Preparations for nursing education began after the hospital met the required criteria, including having at least 100 beds and handling around 1,200 maternity cases annually. Minister Pathak noted that the provincial government upgraded three hospitals in Baglung simultaneously.
Dhaulagiri Hospital was upgraded from a 50-bed to a 100-bed provincial hospital, the Burtibang Primary Health Center was upgraded to a 50-bed Burtibang Provincial Hospital, and the Dhaulagiri Ayurveda Hospital in Baglung was expanded to a 25-bed facility, paving the way for the introduction of nursing education in the district.
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