PM Oli to attend KAHS convocation on September 8

Karnali, Aug 24: Many people might not believe that Jumla, a remote mountainous district in Karnali Province, where it was at one time even hard to access the services of a health worker let alone a doctor, is on the road to producing doctors and sending them to other places of the country.

Yes, the Karnali Academy of Health Sciences (KAHS) based in Jumla will soon be conferring degrees to specialist doctors, nurses and public health graduates. KAHS has been offering advanced courses in medical science, where students not only from remote districts of Karnali Province but also from other accessible districts are pursuing their medical studies.     

This is an instance that shows geography is not an obstacle to development and progress, and that an institution located in a remote district can train and supply a medical workforce, including specialist doctors and public health experts needed in the country.     

KAHS is organizing a convocation ceremony on coming September 8 on which occasion five specialist doctors completing MD and 51 students completing MBBS in various branches of medical science will be conferred on degrees. 

KAHS is currently gearing up for its first convocation which will be attended by KAHS Chancellor and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Pro-Chancellor and Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel, among other dignitaries, KAHS Vice-chancellor Dr Mangal Rawal said.     

KAHS is organizing the convocation for the first time in 13 years since its establishment. Vice-Chancellor Rawal said the 56 graduating students are from the public health, nursing and medical science faculties.     

"We sent a letter to the Chancellor on 16 August for approval to hold the first convocation ceremony. In response to the same letter, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers has sent a letter to KAHS with the approval of the Chancellor to hold the convocation ceremony in Jumla on September 8. We are preparing accordingly," Vice-Chancellor Rawal said.     

He said they are excited to organize the convocation for the first time in the history of Karnali.     

KAHS Examinations Section Chief, Nripesh Budhthapa, said 38 students in BPH in the first and second batch, 13 students in BMS in two batches, three students in MDGP, one student in MD Anesthesia and one student in MD Pediatrics are graduating.     

On the occasion, PM Oli is scheduled to inaugurate the newly constructed modern Academic Building and an Ophthalmology Centre to be run with the support from Tilganga Eye Hospital, KAHS Vice Chancellor Rawal shared. 

A programme for handing over EMR equipment provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) is also part of the convocation ceremony.