Govt of Nepal to Introduce Nursing and Paramedic Courses in Zonal Hospitals Nationwide

Kathmandu, January 27, 2024 – In a landmark decision set to revolutionize medical education in Nepal, Health and Population Minister Mohan Bahadur Basnet has announced the introduction of nursing and paramedic courses in hospitals with a bed capacity ranging from 100 to 300. This significant announcement was made during the 90th-anniversary celebration of Shukraraj Tropical and Communicable Disease Hospital in Teku on January 24, 2024.

Educational Reform in Zonal Hospitals

The Health and Population Minister detailed plans to roll out medical education programs across all seven provinces' zonal hospitals, starting from the upcoming academic session. This initiative is aimed at enhancing the quality and accessibility of medical education throughout the country.

Criteria for Medical Education

• Nursing and Paramedic Training: Medium-sized hospitals, with bed capacities between 100 and 300, will focus on courses for nursing and paramedics.
• MBBS Education: Hospitals with more than 300 beds will be authorized to conduct MBBS courses, expanding the scope of medical education in larger healthcare facilities.

Amendments and Infrastructure Enhancements

The government is also set to amend the Medical Education Act to support these new educational endeavors. Concurrently, infrastructure developments are underway, such as the construction of a new 300-bed building for specialized infectious diseases at Shukraraj Hospital, as informed by the hospital’s director, Dr. Yuvanidhi Basaula.

Preparations for Nursing Education

Highlighting the readiness for this educational shift, Nursing Administrator Roshni Lakshmi Tuitui spoke about the hospital's preparations to commence nursing courses in the next academic session, subject to governmental approval.

Tribute and Service Statistics

During the anniversary event, Chief Consultant Physician Dr. Bimal Sharma Chalise was honored for his instrumental role during the Covid-19 pandemic. The hospital currently operates with 100 beds, including 20 for emergency care, and serves approximately 2000 outpatients daily. In the last fiscal year, the hospital provided outpatient treatment to over 160,000 individuals, emergency care to 11,446, and admitted 1,987 patients for various treatments.

This initiative by the Health and Population Ministry represents a significant step towards strengthening Nepal's healthcare education and services. By integrating medical education into the hospital setting, the government aims to enhance the training of healthcare professionals, ultimately benefiting the nation's health sector.