The Social Committee of the Cabinet is set to decide on the fate of the formation of a Health Profession Education Commission on Wednesday morning.

The formation of the commission would be in line with agreements reached with orthopedic surgeon Dr Govinda KC while breaking his fast-unto-death and the body would provide an overarching framework to introduce reforms in medical education that Dr KC has been demanding for a very long time.

If implemented, the commission would oversee the production of human resources in the health sector while making services accessible in rural areas through a proportionate distribution of medical schools in the country.

However, even though Dr KC has ‘put forth the name of Kedar Bhakta Mathema’ as the vice-chairman of the commission, sources say CPN-UML leaders are likely to float names of doctors who are close to the party.

Since the formation of the commission would bring an end to establishing new medical schools inside Kathmandu Valley, appointing a vice-chairman close to them would ensure that the provision is scrapped, sources added.

Dr KC, speaking to the Post, said if the appointment is politicised he will stage another round of hunger strike from Friday. “I hope they pay proper attention to my warnings,” said Dr KC. “The formation of the commission and appointment of an independent vice-chairman would bring about drastic change in the medical sector.”

Working as the main regulatory body in medical education, the commission will conduct a common entrance test for all medical institutions as previously mentioned in regulations, according to Mathema. The draft policy prepared by the Mathema committee has said that each student should take this common entrance and score at least 60 percent to get into the MBBS course.

The 25-member commission will be supported by six directorates: Standards and Criteria, Accreditation, Planning and Coordination, Academic Innovation and Research, Examination and Alternative Graduate Medical Education.