Six Health Science Institutes Face Vice-Chancellor Appointment Delays

Kathmandu. The appointment process for vice-chancellors in health science institutes across the country, which play a significant role in medical education programs and treatment services, has been delayed. Although the Ministry of Health (Ministry of Health and Food Security) published the list of applicants for the post of vice-chancellor in six different institutes on Jestha 19, it has not been able to advance the appointment process further. The institutes are being operated under acting officials, which creates problems in issuing large tenders, purchasing equipment, and making important policy decisions, according to institute officials. However, they state that there has been no hindrance in conducting daily administrative work.

The government had called for applications for the vacant vice-chancellor posts in six health science institutes on Jestha 4. However, despite a long time passing since the applications were collected, appointments have not been made. Currently, the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences, Rapti Academy of Health Sciences, BP Koirala Academy of Health Sciences, and Karnali Academy of Health Sciences are without vice-chancellors.

Until a full-time leadership is selected, the ministry had given the responsibility of acting office chiefs on Baishakh 24 to Prof. Dr. Samita Panta at Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Dr. Narendra Vikram Gurung at Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences, and Associate Prof. Dr. Binamra Bisht at Karnali Academy of Health Sciences. Similarly, Associate Prof. Dr. Indra Limbu has been given the responsibility of acting chief at BP Koirala Academy of Health Sciences, and Associate Prof. Dr. Suresh Rasaili at Rapti Academy of Health Sciences.

Associate Prof. Dr. Binamra Bisht, acting executive chief of Karnali Academy of Health Sciences, stated that there has been no inconvenience in the daily administrative work of the institute. He said, 'I have been given the responsibility of acting chief. So far, there has been no hindrance in carrying out the work. Daily administrative and educational activities are proceeding smoothly.'

Meanwhile, Dr. Samir Adhikari, joint spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, informed that the concerned division is working on the applications received. Dr. Adhikari said, 'The concerned division and a team of experts are further studying the applications received. The shortlist will be published as soon as possible.'

According to the 'Integrated Procedure for Selection and Recommendation of Vice-Chancellors of Health Science Institutes,' the Ministry of Health's Policy, Planning and Monitoring Division works as the secretariat of the selection committee.

According to the ministry, a total of 113 people have applied for the six institutes. Among them, applications for Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences have been approved for 26, for National Academy of Medical Sciences for 24, for Patan Academy of Health Sciences for 19, for BP Koirala Academy of Health Sciences for 16, for Rapti Academy of Health Sciences for 17, and for Karnali Academy of Health Sciences for 11.

The selection and recommendation committee formed to recommend names for the vacant vice-chancellor posts had called for applications from interested individuals who met the qualifications as per the approved procedure. According to the procedure, a final list of candidates should be published in order of merit based on the total marks obtained. Thereafter, a list of up to 3 persons for each institute, in alphabetical order, is to be recommended to the Chancellor (Prime Minister) for the appointment of the vice-chancellor.

According to the procedure, to be appointed as vice-chancellor, one must have passed at least a postgraduate (PG) level in any subject of medical science from a recognized university or educational institution. Additionally, they must have at least 10 years of experience in a health science institute, university, or teaching hospital, or have at least 10 years of teaching experience in the position of professor or in the eleventh level or above in health services.

Similarly, criteria include having demonstrated excellent managerial capabilities in a leadership role in an academic institution, not being a member of a political party or holding a party responsibility, and having published at least 2 scientific research articles as the first author and at least 4 as a co-author in a recognized journal.

These important bodies in the health sector became leaderless after the government issued an ordinance on special arrangements regarding the removal of public office bearers.