ion of Western MedicineWestern medicine, or allopathic medicine, was introduced to Nepal during the Rana regime, specifically during Jung Bahadur Rana’s tenure as Prime Minister. Initially, healthcare was viewed as a form of charity from the rulers to the people. The first government hospitals were established in
(Bir Hospital) and
. It was only after the dawn of democracy in 1950 that the Department of Health Services was established to institutionalize public health.
The training of healthcare workers in Nepal began in 1934 with the production of “compounders” and “dressers”. A major milestone was the establishment of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) under Tribhuvan University in 1972.
Nepal Journals Online +1- Undergraduate (MBBS): A 5.5-year program, including a one-year compulsory rotatory internship.
- Postgraduate (MD/MS): Specialized courses in various clinical and basic science disciplines.
- Regulatory Oversight: The Nepal Medical Council (NMC) and the Medical Education Commission (MEC) regulate standards, conduct entrance exams, and oversee licensing.
Nepal has seen an “explosion” of medical colleges, with over 15 institutions now producing more than 1,000 doctors annually. Major institutions include the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS) and the Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS).
Nepal Journals Online +3While the number of doctors is growing, Nepal still faces a physician-to-population ratio of approximately 0.867 per 1,000 people, which is below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended ratio of 1:1,000.
- Salary and Satisfaction: A newly graduated MBBS doctor typically earns between NPR 30,000 and NPR 70,000 per month.
- Migration: Many doctors seek opportunities abroad due to low pay and poor working conditions in rural areas, a phenomenon often described as “brain drain”.
- Public Facilities: Over 14,000 facilities exist, including 3,778 health posts and thousands of Basic Health Service Centres.
- Geographical Barriers: Delivering healthcare is difficult in the “Himal–Pahad–Terai” regions, where remote villages often lack roads and reliable electricity.
- Financing: Nepal spends about 5.3% of its GDP on health. Access is often governed by the ability to pay, which disproportionately affects the poor.
- Life Expectancy: Increased from 66 years in 2005 to 71.5 years in 2018.
- Mortality: Under-five mortality and infant mortality rates have seen dramatic declines.
- Double Burden of Disease: Nepal faces a “double burden”—continuing infectious diseases (like diarrhea, cholera, and TB) alongside rising non-communicable diseases (like cancer and cardiovascular issues).
Medical research in Nepal is growing, with journals like the Journal of Nepal Medical Association (JNMA) following international standards such as ICMJE guidelines. There is also an increasing focus on digital health and transparency, as seen in recent student-led movements for fairer medical entrance exams.
