Jumla used to struggle for enough number of doctors earlier. Now, the district is producing doctors itself from the Karnali Academy of Health Sciences (KAHS).
For the current academic session, the KAHS has been allocated 30 seats for MBBS. The academy started running MBBS course since 2021 with 20 seats.
“Several students are arriving for admission in the available seats,” said Dr. Dinesh Bastola, coordinator of basic medical sciences at the KAHS.
Newly admitted students arriving at the KAHS said that they were astonished to see a quality hospital and medical institution in Jumla.
“I was listed for MBBS study in the KAHS as per the common entrance result. I had many prejudices regarding Jumla and the KAHS but I found the KAHS to be a quality institution,” said Siddhartha Poudel, a resident of Syangja district who have enrolled for MBBS at the KAHS.
Narujahn Khatun, a resident of Siraha district, had also reached Jumla to study MBBS at the KAHS during the previous academic session.
“It was a new experience arriving at a Himalayan region from Terai to study MBBS.
It has been several months and it feels like home now,” said Khatun.
“I expected Jumla to be a rural destination and a difficult place to complete my MBBS. However, it wasn’t so. I am certain that
I will complete my degree and leave as a quality doctor from the KAHS,” said Rejina Dhakal, a resident of Sindhupalchowk who got listed in full scholarship for MBBS at the KAHS.
Dr. Niresh Thapa of the KAHS informed that the academy also provides postgraduate degrees in medical field.
“Classes for MD in anaesthesia, general practice and paediatrics and MS in orthopaedics are also being provided,” Dr. Thapa said.
Vice-chancellor of the KAHS Dr. Mangal Rawal said that the academy plans to increase its faculties and establish itself as the best medical institution in far-western Nepal.
“Providing medical education and producing quality doctors would seem impossible when looked at the old history of Jumla.
Now, the district has changed its colour and is fighting for quality development. The KAHS will do its best to upgrade the district’s health sector,” said Dr. Rawal.
Source : TRN,
