MBBS classes at Purbanchal University from this year

by Hari Prasad Koirala,Urlabari, Aug. 17: Starting this year, the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme will commence at Purbanchal University, situated in Gothgaon, Sundarharaicha, Morang. Following the establishment of the medical college, local residents have expressed enthusiasm. Particularly, those who migrated from the hills to the vicinity of the university are optimistic that new commercial opportunities will arise after the initiation of the medical programme. 

According to Shailesh Mani Pokharel, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Purbanchal University, out of a total of 50 seats, 75 per cent will be allocated for government-funded scholarships. The government has already secured resources for these scholarship seats. The remaining 25 per cent will be available for self-funded students. The university has already established the necessary infrastructure to facilitate MBBS education under the Faculty of Medicine. Furthermore, the Dean noted that the university is managing these arrangements independently, utilising its own resources.

Currently, the university offers programmes in pharmacy, Public Health (master's level), B.Sc. Nursing, BPH, B. Pharmacy, and BMLT.

The university has completed a 300-bed hospital, which will serve as the teaching hospital for medical students. After two years of regular study, students will undertake practical training at the university’s teaching hospital from the third year onward.

On a substantial 805-bigha land parcel, impressive buildings are anticipated to become operational, fostering hope among the local community. According to residents, the structures constructed by Purbanchal University in 2061 BS with an investment of 30 crore rupees are now poised for proper utilisation after 21 years. In Gothgaon, administrative offices, hospital facilities, an emergency unit, an inpatient department (IPD) building, a college, multiple hostels, faculty residences, a guest house, and other facilities are expected to be completed and fully functional.

Earlier, land brokers had sold hundreds of bighas of land around the university, fostering hopes of a future university development. Landowners invested significantly in constructing houses, having been initially motivated by the prospects of a university coming to the area. However, they had become disheartened after the hospital and medical college were not immediately established. Some community members remained hopeful when temporary health services were initiated years ago. Now, with the announcement of MBBS classes, their optimism has been rekindled.

Local resident Saru Prasad Adhikari remarked, “I migrated from Dhankuta to this place sixteen years ago, attracted by the vision of a teaching hospital and medical college. I anticipated that this would expand business opportunities, including the sale of vegetables and daily essentials.” He further stated, “Gradually, the hospital and medical college are now nearing operational status.”

At the time of its founding, the university lacked essential infrastructure; consequently, the main administrative office was located in Biratnagar. It took fourteen years to relocate the central office from Biratnagar to Gothgaon. Morang-3 Member of Parliament Dr. Sunil Sharma emphasised that realising this commitment was a priority for him. He stated, “There was speculation that Dr. Sharma, despite his medical background, did not assist in establishing the medical college at Gothgaon. I have now dispelled those rumors.” He added, “In the two and a half years since my election, I have been fulfilling my commitments one by one.”

Purbanchal University is situated in wards 7 and 8 of Sundarharaicha Municipality. Ward No. 7 falls within Morang Constituency No. 6, represented by Dr. Shekhar Koirala, while Ward No.8 is part of Morang Constituency No. 3. Local residents attribute the progress in establishing the MBBS programme at the university to the collaborative efforts of Dr. Shekhar Koirala and Dr. Sunil Sharma.