By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Nov. 14: The government authorities informed that only educational institutions with a 100-bed hospital will be allowed to teach PCL (Proficiency Certificate Level) Nursing courses.

The decision came through a meeting chaired by Minister for Education, Science, and Technology Devendra Paudel. The minister is also the chairperson of the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT).

CTEVT has been looking after the affiliation and other processes for PCL Nursing education. According to the officials, the decision came under Section 12 of the National Medical Education Act, 2075.

Sub-section (1) of Section 12 states that affiliation for nursing courses will not be granted to institutions without a 100-bed hospital.

“The decision abides by the prevailing act and will ensure that the aspiring nurses will have a proper place to practice medicine and develop themselves further,” said Semanta Raj Koirala, information officer at Medical Education Commission (MEC).

Koirala further informed that they plan to implement the provisions of the National Medical Education Act strictly in a bid to improve the medical education sector of the country.

The majority of educational institutions offering nursing courses do not meet the standard. Only 24 of the 109 institutions associated with CTEVT have 100-bed hospitals.

“Among the 24 institutions, seven are constituent campuses while others are private,” said Binod Badal, spokesperson for CTEVT.

While the 17 private institutions have their 100-bed hospitals, the officials are in talks with concerned authorities to manage hospitals for the constituent campuses.

“We are in talks with MEC, Education Ministry and Health Ministry to manage a B2B relation between the constituent campuses and government hospitals nearby,” Badal said.

Among the courses offered by CTEVT, admission for PCL Nursing alone has not been opened yet. Even after the decision, it is expected to take some more time.

“There are also certain discussions ongoing if the institutions with 50-bed hospitals should be granted affiliation for PCL Nursing or not. It depends upon officials of MEC comprised of Prime Minister, Education Minister and Health Minister, among others,” said Badal.

With a certain conclusion expected soon, CTEVT has already started the process to open admission for the new session of PCL Nursing.