A taskforce to conduct the feasibility study of MBBS programme at Karnali Academy of Health Sciences (KAHS) in Jumla arrived here Saturday.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology had formed a taskforce under the co-ordination of Prof Dr Shreekrishna Giri from Bir Hospital in response to Professor Dr Govinda KC’s hunger strike at Jumla, demanding the launch of MBBS study at KAHS.

The taskforce comprises Kedar Prasad Sharma from University Grant Commission, Bishnu Prasad Mishra from the Ministry and KAHS Vice Chancellor Rajendra Raj Wagle.

The team has the mandate to study the problems, challenges and feasibility of the MBBS programme at KAHS. It will submit a report to the Education Ministry. Co-ordinator Dr Giri said the report would include inputs of all stakeholders.

As part of the study, a meeting was held with the member of the House of Representatives Gajendra Bahadur Mahat, representatives of various political parties, civil society, local administration and associations today. Civil society coordinator Raj Bahadur Mahat said the KAHS Act has the provision that there would be an MBBS programme in Jumla, Karnali province.

“Jumla is the centre of 10 districts in the province. It is connected well to other districts by roads so sick people seeking medical advice would have easy access to the hospital. Why don’t we run the MBBS programme?” he said.

KAHS Director Dharmaraj Gosain said the process to appoint lecturers has started.

“We are now focused on building infrastructure. Preparations are underway to develop the curriculum and set up basic science laboratory,” he said.

The government had established the KAHS in 2068 BS in order to contribute to the entire health sector in Jumla, Humla, Kalikot, Mugu, Dolpa, Achham, Jajarkot, Bajhang and Bajura districts. It has been running programmes such as nursing intermediate and bachelor levels and midwifery in bachelor level.