Nepal's first medical school, Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine, opened in late 1970’s. The Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital opened in 1982. For the first 5 batches of students only Health Assistants were admitted. There have been open competition from biology students (10+2) since 1984. 17 batches have graduated with about 40 students each year. PGY programs began in 1990’s.

At this time there are ten medical schools in Nepal: three in Kathmandu (Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu Medical College and Nepal Medical College), one (Manipal College of Medical Sciences) in Pokhara, one (B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences) in Dharan, and one (Nepalgunj Medical College) in Nepalgunj, all graduating students in 2002. There is also one school in each of Dhulikhel (Kathmandu University Medical School), Birgunj, Bhairawa and Bharatpur. 

"Medicine as a career choice", Thakur et al, Journal of the Institute of Medicine 1999; 21: 1–18 reports a survey of 110 medical students. They found that medicine is the most sought after professional career in Nepal. The reasons cited included service to the sick, social prestige, possibility of self employment and good employment prospects.

Approximately 700 students enter medical school each year. Only 40-50% are Nepali nationals (around 300). Another 150-200 Nepalis get medical education in other countries. Approximately 500 Nepali physicians graduate annually. For a population of 25 million, the physician to patient ratio will be approximately one doctor to 1600 patients.

Post-graduate medical education in Nepal includes General Practice, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, Radiology, Anesthesiology, ENT, Ob/Gyn and Pathology at Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine; MS, MD, basic sciences and family medicine at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan; and Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Pathology, Microbiology at Kathmandu University Medical School. Popular external post-graduate medical education programs include MRCP/FRCS/MRCOG in the United Kingdom and FCPS in Pakistan.

Recognized medical education problems in Nepal include inadequate regulation, shortage of faculties and the cost of education. Currently quality assurance / regulatory agencies are the Nepal Medical Council and the Post-graduate Medical Education Coordination committee (PGMECC). At this time approximately 70% of medical instructors in Nepal are from other countries, primarily India. There is an urgent need for faculty trained in basic sciences and specialty/subspecialty training.

To combat these problems there is a need for faculty exchange programs, subspecialty or other fellowship training, department to department affiliations, library assistance, technical help / technology transfer, telemedicine and CME / refresher courses.

August 1, 2003