NAIHS introduces doctoral medical courses

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 27: The Nepali Army Institute of Health Sciences (NAIHS), Bhandarkhal, is set to introduce doctoral-level DM/MCh programmes in three specialised fields. The new programmes include DM in Cardiology, DM in Critical Care, and MCh in Urology.

Executive Director of the institute, Major General (Rtd) Prof. Dr. Devendra Bahadur Khatri, said approval had been received from IOM to operate the doctoral-level programmes and classes would begin soon.

“At the doctoral level, approval has been obtained to conduct DM in Cardiology, DM in Critical Care, and MCh in Urology programmes. Teaching sessions will commence shortly,” he said.

At present, the institute operates five undergraduate programmes, MBBS, BPH, BSc MLT, BNS BSc, and Nursing, while postgraduate studies include 18 MD/MS subjects and five nursing specialisations, according to Khatri.

Currently, 1,215 students are enrolled in undergraduate programmes and 265 students are pursuing postgraduate studies in various disciplines. A total of 1,592 students have graduated from undergraduate programmes so far.

According to Prof. Dr. Khatri, the introduction of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral-level academic programmes has significantly improved the quality of healthcare services provided through the institute’s teaching hospital, Birendra Hospital, as well as the overall healthcare system.

In the Nepal Medical Council licensing examination conducted in 2025, 96 per cent of MBBS students from the institute passed the examination.

Similarly, students enrolled in the BPH and MLT programmes achieved a 100 per cent pass rate in the licensing examinations conducted by the Nepal Health Professional Council, while nursing students also secured a 100 per cent success rate in examinations conducted by the Nepal Nursing Council.

The institute has been reported as the top-performing institution in terms of licensing examination results.

Dean of the Institute of Medicine, Prof Dr Mohan Raj Sharma, said the institute had achieved historic success in quality medical education within a short period of its establishment.

“In a short span of time, the institute has made remarkable progress in medical education, research, and healthcare service delivery,” he said.

The institute was established on September 15, 2010, on the initiative of the then Chief of the Army Staff Chhatra Man Singh Gurung to produce skilled, disciplined and professional human resources in the health sciences sector, promoting research and innovation, and strengthening the quality of healthcare services for both the Nepali Army and the nation.

The institute is also preparing to introduce Bachelor’s programmes in Physiotherapy and Pharmacy from the upcoming academic session.

Prof. Dr Khatri said the institute aimed to expand its academic scope in line with changing needs.

“We are preparing to add Bachelor’s programmes in Physiotherapy and Pharmacy from the next academic session. Necessary groundwork has been completed and proposals have been submitted to the concerned authorities for approval,” he said.

The institute is also working towards launching additional programmes, including Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), Bachelor in Optometry, MD in Emergency Medicine, MSc MLT in Biochemistry, MSc MLT in Microbiology, and Fellowship in Onco-Imaging. Preparations for the required infrastructure are underway.

The institute has also continued to strengthen research activities alongside academic programmes.

According to Prof Dr Khatri, 215 out of 292 research proposals submitted last year by faculty members and undergraduate and postgraduate students were approved.

“The institute’s research-oriented academic environment is gradually becoming stronger. To make academic programmes practical, community-oriented and result-oriented, high priority has been given to academic and community-based field studies in accordance with the curriculum,” he said.

Currently, the institute has 38 professors, 68 associate professors, and 142 assistant professors in service.

The medical journal published by the institute has received international recognition and has also been ranked among Nepal’s top 10 medical journals.

Prof Dr. Khatri said the journal had played a significant role in establishing the institute’s research, academic quality, and scholarly contribution at both national and international levels.

Principal of the NAIHS College of Medicine, Brigadier General Dr. Ratna Adhikari, said the institute had been carrying out teaching, learning and research activities in accordance with the policies of Tribhuvan University’s Institute of Medicine.