KATHMANDU: Advice on allowances for residential doctors studying postgraduate medical education has been submitted by a task committee headed by Pradeep Paudel, Nepal's Minister for Health and Population. The task team was created to address these doctors' discontent with the differences in their allowances.

The work team, headed by Additional Secretary Tanka Barakoti, suggested that beginning with the upcoming academic year, residential doctors in private medical schools be paid the same as their colleagues in government institutions.

The task force underlined the necessity of a workable plan to guarantee the new allowance system's prompt implementation. By doing this, institutional parity would be established and the complaints made by residential doctors would be addressed.

The study also covered the admissions and seat distribution processes for both public and private medical schools. At its 15th meeting on November 24, the Medical Education Commission advised adhering to the academic calendar for the upcoming session, which starts on Baishakh 1 (April 14, 2025).

The article claims that there are currently no established procedures by the Medical Study Commission for determining tuition fees at various phases of medical study. This delay has left institutions and students in a state of uncertainty.

To address this issue, the task committee suggested creating a workable charge fixing mechanism. It recommended that the Vice-Chair of the Medical Education Commission take the lead in this process and urged the Commission to finish and implement it as quickly as feasible.

The workforce recommended creating a high-level council to handle more general concerns in medical education in addition to allowances and costs. This entails strengthening entrance tests, expanding scholarship programs, changing current legislation, and enhancing the caliber and accessibility of education.

The committee would also oversee improvements to student services, seat distribution for international students, and the overall length of employment of medical professionals to ensure that medical education meets both domestic and international standards.

Minister Paudel has stated that he will carry out the task team's recommendations. In order to address the concerns expressed by various stakeholders and enhance the medical education system, he recognized the significance of resolving these challenges.

The recommendations are expected to greatly enhance Nepal's medical school system if they are put into practice, addressing long-standing issues with tuition, stipends, and educational quality while promoting equity and accessibility for medical students.