Dhangadhi, Nov. 3 -- Martyr Dasharath Chand University of Health Sciences at Geta in Kailali, plans to begin academic programmes in February 2027. The move is being touted as a milestone for medical education and healthcare in Nepal's far-western region.

The Medical Education Commission has approved 90 seats under four programmes: 50 in Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), 20 in BSc Nursing, 10 in BSc Medical Laboratory Technology (BMLT) and 10 in Bachelor of Optometry.

But doctors and hospital employees question whether the institution has the infrastructure, academic staff, and capacity to run the programmes. They allege approval was granted under government and political pressure, based on paperwork and figures that d...