The Ministry of Health and Population has published the draft Ramraja Prasad Singh Academy of Health Sciences Act, 2083 for public consultation. The proposed academy is intended to expand high-level medical education, research and training, produce skilled health professionals and provide affordable and quality healthcare to the public. Its central office would be located in Rajbiraj Municipality, Saptari, and the ministry has invited comments and suggestions on the draft within the specified seven-day consultation period.
Under the draft law, the academy would operate as an autonomous institution with a governing Assembly, Academic Council, Executive Council, faculties, research centres, educational institutions and a teaching hospital. The existing Gajendra Narayan Singh Hospital in Rajbiraj would be converted into the academy’s teaching hospital, with its movable and immovable assets and liabilities transferred to the new institution. The Prime Minister would serve as Chancellor, while the federal health minister or state minister would serve as Pro-Chancellor. A full-time Vice-Chancellor, Rector, Registrar, Deans and Hospital Director would manage academic, administrative and hospital operations.
The academy would be empowered to conduct medical and health-science education, research, training, conferences and health camps, collaborate with Nepali and foreign universities and hospitals, and award academic degrees and certificates. Student seat numbers, entrance examinations, reservations, admission, tuition fees and scholarships for medical education would remain governed by prevailing medical education laws. The bill also requires inclusive representation in key governing bodies, covering women and communities including Dalits, Indigenous nationalities, Madhesis, Tharus, Muslims, disadvantaged groups, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented populations.
Funding would come from the federal, provincial and local governments, tuition and service fees, research and training income, grants and other approved sources. Foreign funding would require Finance Ministry approval, while the Auditor General would conduct the final audit. The government expects initial public expenditure to rise as the academy is established, but the proposal says revenue from healthcare, teaching and research could gradually help it become more self-sustaining. The bill would also repeal the existing Ramraja Prasad Singh Health Sciences Academy Infrastructure Preparation Development Committee Formation Order, 2080, transferring its assets, liabilities and employees to the academy.
