Jhapa Student Achieves Dream of Studying Medicine Locally with Full Scholarship

Jhapa. Ritika Shiwakoti, 19, from Birtamod-9, who harbored a dream of becoming a doctor since childhood, has seen her aspiration realized right in her district. She is the first female student to receive a full scholarship to study Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) for free in the first batch at B&C Medical College in Mechinagar, under the Faculty of Medical Sciences. She secured the full scholarship through open competition under the female quota.

She expressed that her dream has come true by being able to study at a college right in her neighborhood while eating meals at home. Ritika is not alone; seven students from Jhapa now have the opportunity to study MBBS in their home district.

A total of 50 students have been enrolled in the first batch at B&C Medical College. Among them are Ritika and Deewanshu Pokhrel, Chijan Koirala, Rajendra Mainali, Nisha Upreti, Anjali Shah, and Aditya Thapa from the district. Parents are also happy to have their children pursue medical education right before their eyes.

The teaching at the medical college has finally begun after a decade of efforts to establish one in Jhapa. The MBBS classes commenced on Poush 25, 2081 BS. This institution, which received a letter of intent from the government on Magh 14, 2068 BS, faced prolonged legal hurdles.

Ultimately, after the Supreme Court issued mandamus orders on Chaitra 12, 2080 BS, and again on Jestha 25, 2081 BS, the college received affiliation and student quotas. According to the college principal, Prof. Dr. Umesh Sharma, the college aims to become the country's best educational destination based on its infrastructure and quality.

The college and hospital were brought into operation with infrastructure built at an investment of approximately Rs. six billion by Durga Prasai, Rambabu Giri, and Indira Giri in Birtamod-5. The hospital, which started with 300 beds in 2071 BS, has now expanded to 1,000 beds.

Pramish Giri, the Public Relations Officer of the college, expressed confidence that the medical manpower produced here will be excellent in the country. Currently, teaching is taking place through the Basic Science Building in Dhaijan, Mechinagar-12, and hostel facilities have been arranged for the students.

With the operation of the medical college, there is hope that students who spend billions of rupees annually to study medicine abroad and foreign currency outflow will be curbed. The college administration stated that the student quota will increase to 60 starting next year (2082 BS).