IoM denies affiliations despite heat

20 Mar 2015, Kathmandu - Despite persistent pressure from the government and Tribhuvan University, the Faculty Board of the Institute of Medicine (IoM) on Thursday decided not to grant new affiliations to medical colleges .

The university last week directed the IoM, for second time in two weeks, to award the

affiliations to three colleges. IoM Dean Dr Rakesh Shriwastav had tabled a proposal at the board meeting as directed by the TU. Members from the university, including Bishnu Maden, said that as a TU body, the IoM cannot ignore the varsity’s decision to grant affiliations.

However, Dr Suresh Upreti, representative of the Professors’ Association, interrupted them saying that the IoM does not have the capacity to take in new colleges.

Two of the 32 members of the board insisted that the IoM should abide by the TU decision. “If you talk about following the decision, the PM had promised us to make this institution autonomous. Has he kept his word?” Dr Upreti was quoted as saying in the meeting.

A majority of the board members, including Dr Sarad Onta, assistant dean of the IoM, Dr JP Agrawal, medical educationist, and Dr Chandeshwor Mahaseth, director of Kanti Hospital, said the IoM does not have the capacity to provide affiliations to new colleges.

Some members even said that the affiliation process should begin only after the medical education policy is formulated.

The TU has been pressuring the IoM following a directive from Prime Minister Sushil Koirala on February 13 to start the affiliation process for colleges that have fulfilled all the legal requirements and have infrastructure to run MBBS programmes.

The Faculty Board, which is the IoM’s highest authority for academic activities, decides affiliations. A two-thirds majority of the board has to agree to new affiliations. With the indecision, preparations by Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences, National Medical College and People’s Dental College to run MBBS classes have been withheld for now.

Although 12 medical colleges have got the Letter of Intent from the ministry, the three have been influencing the board for the past two years to acquire affiliation to the TU.

Developments: medical colleges

- November 10, 2014: PM against affiliation process

- February 13: PM orders fresh affiliation process

- February 18: Education minister directs TU to begin the process

- March 1: TU directs IoM to act as per PM’s directive

- March 6: IoM’s standing committee remains undecided

- March 12: Dr Govinda KC warns of hunger strike

- March 13: TU writes to IoM again

- March 19: IoM faculty board meeting decides not to grant affiliation