Health Minister Demands Strict Enforcement of Medical Education Commission Decision on Residential Doctors’ Allowance

Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel has issued a strong directive to all private medical colleges, ordering them to implement the Medical Education Commission’s (MEC) decision to provide increased monthly living allowances to residential doctors, in line with government institutions.

The directive follows the 19th meeting of the MEC, held on April 29, which reaffirmed that private colleges must pay a monthly allowance of Rs 48,737 per doctor, retroactively effective from February 7—the date of the original decision. Minister Paudel, during a meeting with representatives from the Nepal Medical College (NMC) and residential doctors at the Ministry today, insisted on immediate compliance.

“There is no ‘if’ or ‘but’ in implementing this decision,” Minister Paudel warned, making it clear that private institutions that fail to comply will face severe consequences. These, he said, could include the cancellation of affiliations, halting of health insurance payments, and suspension of all dealings with the Ministry.

Raising concern over intimidation faced by protesting residential doctors, NMC Chairperson Dr. Anil Bikram Karki informed the Minister that while some colleges have welcomed the doctors back, others have resorted to threats, including barring them from examinations or expelling them. Dr. Karki urged the Ministry to ensure a safe and supportive environment for the affected doctors to return to their studies and duties.

The MEC’s original directive—issued during its 16th meeting under the chairmanship of then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli—mandated that residential MBBS doctors in private colleges receive allowances equivalent to those in government colleges, recognizing the vital role they play in the healthcare system.