A multi-year master plan to expand the Karnali Academy of Health Sciences has stalled due to a persistent shortage of government funding, leaving key infrastructure projects unfinished in ward 3 of Chandannath Municipality, Jumla.

The ambitious plan with an estimated of Rs6.29 billion envisions the construction of major academic, research and healthcare facilities across about 500 ropanis (around 25 hectares) of land at Cherechaur, around eight kilometres from Jumla district headquarters Khalanga. The blueprint, prepared nearly nine years ago, aims to significantly expand medical education, research and health services in the Karnali region.

According to Laxmi Chandra Mahat, registrar at the academy, progress has remained limited despite local support. “Thirteen landowners donated around 500 ropani [25.44 hectares] of land free of cost so that the academy could build the planned infrastructure. However, the project cannot move forward due to a lack of budget,” said Mahat.

Only a few structures have been completed so far at a cost of about Rs760 million, including academic and administrative buildings, staff quarters and a basic science building at Cherechaur. The rest of the proposed infrastructure—around two dozen structures such as academic blocks, a modern library, a seminar hall, a mess facility and sports grounds—remains on paper only.

The academy currently serves residents from all 10 districts of Karnali province as well as three districts of the neighbouring Sudurpaschim province. Despite its growing academic programmes, including MBBS, MD, B Pharm and nursing courses, classes are still conducted in rented houses and in buildings belonging to the local Jumla Multiple Campus.

Local people complain that the continued delay reflects a lack of government priority for the remote region. “Karnali once struggled even to access basic medicines like paracetamol, but now specialist health services are available here. Students from Karnali can study medicine in their own region, yet the state still fails to prioritise this institution in the national budget,” said Jagat Bahadur Rokaya, a local.

The academy currently employs around 500 teachers and staff members. Due to inadequate infrastructure, many of them are forced to live in rented accommodation, while students from different parts of the country also struggle to find suitable housing, affecting their studies.

During a recent inspection visit, Health and Population Minister Sudha Sharma Gautam acknowledged the funding challenges and assured that the government would prioritise the project in the upcoming national budget. She also urged the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure to construct a proper access road leading to the planned campus site.

“The lack of funds should not halt infrastructure development and services,” the minister said, pledging stronger government commitment to the long-delayed master plan.

The local people and stakeholders express their dissatisfaction to the government and the major political parties for not prioritising the academy, considered a matter of pride for Karnali. The state’s persistent neglect, they claim, clearly reflects a broader failure to support the region’s health, education and research sectors.