Medical students on Monday stage protest in front of the Institute of Medicine (IoM) against exorbitant fees charged by medical colleges under the Tribhuvan University for a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.

Around 40 students from six private medical colleges from different parts of the country demanded that the IoM take necessary steps against those colleges that are charging have passed the university’s ceiling. The TU Executive Council on March 26 had reduced the total fee for the degree to Rs2.2 million from Rs3.1 million. It included the tuition, along with admission, library, practical and examination charges.

However, the medical colleges have charged an additional up to Rs1.7 million under the headings of library, practical and examination fees. The medical colleges’ failure to comply with the fee structure set by the university prompted students to resort to the protest.

The Doctors Society of Nepal (DSON), an association of medical doctors, has been pressing the IoM to take necessary steps for the effective implementation of the fee structure set by the TU. According to DSON General Secretary Dr Toshima Karki, the medical colleges have asked students to deposit an additional amount ranging from Rs1 million to Rs1.7 million.

Chitwan Medical College (CMC) in Bharatpur, Gandaki Medical College in Pokhara, Universal College of Medical Sciences & Teaching Hospital (UCMS) of Bhairahwa, National Medical College of Birgunj, People’s Dental College of Kathmandu and Nepal Army Institute of Health Sciences have flouted the fee ceiling set by the TU.

“We want the IoM and the Education Ministry to take necessary steps to end the syndicate of the medical colleges. The onus lies with the two government entities to ensure the colleges under them follow the decision to the letter,” Dr Karki told the Post.

Claiming that they have gathered evidence to prove how the medical colleges had forced the students into paying higher amount. In a voice clip, focal person at the CMC Arun Koirala is purportedly demanding an additional Rs325,000 from a student during admission.As per the TU Executive Council decision, the MD students have to pay 50 percent of the total fee in the first year and 25 percent in the second and third year respectively.