Scholarship to study MBBS in Nepal

Scholarship to study MBBS in Nepal

It costs some NRs. 4 million to train a doctor, almost 200 times the per capita income of average Nepali, who makes almost NRs. 25,000 per year. That is why government has scholarships. But the scholarship is conditional- to give public service for few years. The recent graduates are assigned to remote districts, where they are often the only doctor in the area, for five years. This causes conflict of interest and the doctors want to practice in lucrative area such as Kathmandu valley or emigrate to western countries for higher salaries.

            Initially it was 6 years period of public service but six years ago the government lowered the years to 2 years. But that was not enough. A month ago, the education minister waived this rule for a recent graduate from Manipal College, if he paid a fine of NRs. 220,000 which is even less that 1 percent of the cost of training the doctor. So a consumer protection agency went to the Supreme Court seeking a verdict against waiver. On Tuesday, the court ordered the government to stick to the Scholarship Act, 2021 that makes it mandatory for scholarship students to serve in areas assigned by the government. The court's order means that it is still illegal for doctors who benefited from the government's generosity to refuse to serve in remote areas.

            So who gets decent healthcare in this country? A rural woman has to do with shamans or health assistants. Children in a district headquarter, if lucky, will meet a doctor. Those with money can journey to Kathmandu to see a consultant. But even Kathmandu has limits. If you are rich, you go to Delhi, Bangkok and New York. And if you're rich, and powerful, like the top layer of politicians, your visit is paid for by the state, this highlights a crystal-clear trend in this society: milk the system with no regard for public welfare. The disregard the Nepali state has shown towards rural and remote areas in the country are not limited to healthcare but the state of healthcare, in particular, needs serious attention. The sooner the government reforms the healthcare industry to address their plight, the better it would be for everyone.