The Medical Education Commission has formed an 11-member task force to review the number of student seats and fee structures for MBBS and BDS programs in private medical colleges. The task force is led by Dipak Kafle, Secretary at the Ministry of Education, and has been given 10 days to submit its recommendations.
This decision was made during the Commission’s 18th meeting, chaired by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who also heads the Commission. The meeting agreed to re-evaluate current student quotas and fee ceilings.
Members of the task force include Dr. Bikas Devkota, Dr. Mohan Sharma, Dr. Manoj Humagain, Dr. Bhagawan Koirala, Dr. Ramesh Kant Adhikari, Dr. Dibya Singh Shah, Dr. Mangal Rawal, Dr. Anil Karki, and Dr. Gyanendra Karki.
The move comes amid increasing tension between private medical colleges and students. In a meeting earlier this year, the Commission had decided that postgraduate (PG) medical students in private colleges should receive allowances equal to those given in government institutions. However, private colleges claim they cannot provide the Rs 48,000 monthly living allowance without government support. As a result, some have threatened to stop PG teaching, while resident doctors have protested and halted services.
Private institutions are also demanding an increase in seat numbers and higher fees, especially for international students.
The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for April 27.
