The Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene has opened public consultation on the draft “Bill to Amend Certain Nepal Acts Relating to Health Science Academies, 2083.” The draft has been published for public opinion under the Legislation Act, 2081, and stakeholders have been asked to submit comments and recommendations in the prescribed format to law.section@mohp.gov.np within seven days, by Asar 8, 2083. The bill states that it would come into force immediately after enactment.

The proposed legislation would amend laws governing B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, National Academy of Medical Sciences, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Karnali Academy of Health Sciences, Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences and Rapti Academy of Health Sciences. Across these laws, the draft proposes repealing a number of specified subsections and entire sections. For example, it would repeal several provisions in Sections 20–26 of the Patan and Karnali academy laws, while provisions in the B.P. Koirala and National Academy of Medical Sciences laws would also be removed.

The Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences Act, 2072 receives additional textual amendments: the word relating to “term of office” in Section 23 would be removed, one subsection would be repealed, and references within other subsections would be revised to cover provisions relating to the vice-chancellor, dean and director, among others. The Rapti Academy law would similarly lose several subsections and Section 25. The ministry has requested citizens and stakeholders to specify the relevant section of the draft, their proposed alternative provision and the justification for each suggestion.