Challenges in conducting the undergraduate medical program in a medical school in Nepal: A personal selection

Context: In Nepal, a developing country in South Asia, many medical schools have been opened in the private sector recently. KIST Medical College is a private medical school in Lalitpur district affiliated to Tribhuvan University. The college admitted the first batch of undergraduate medical (MBBS) students in 2008 and has recently admitted its fourth batch of students.Justification: Nepal, a country in transition had suffered from a decade long violent conflict. The country is in the process of writing a new constitution and suffers from political instability which may have a contributory role to many of the challenges which I will be enlisting in the article like frequent general shutdowns, load shedding, reduced number of patients in the teaching hospital and problems in conducting the academic calendar on schedule.Method: The challenges mentioned have been listed on the basis of the personal experience of the author and following discussion with colleagues in the institution and in other medical schools.Statement of the problem: Among the major ones are shortage of electricity and blackouts in winter, voltage fluctuations, frequent bands or general shutdowns, reduced number of inpatients in the teaching hospital during certain seasons and problems with internet connectivity.Possible solutions: The solution of many of these problems may be linked to political stability. Load shedding can be reduced by greater investment in production capacity and using other energy sources and reducing dependence on hydroelectricity. Creating a conducive climate for investment and industrial growth is necessary.Conclusion: The challenges can be overcome by various actors (political and non-political) working together in cooperation and creating a peaceful and stable political climate.