Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences

Pokhara Institute of Health Sciences (PoAHS—Pokhara Swasthya Bigyan Pratisthan), established in 2072 BS (2015 AD), is one of Nepal's premier medical education and research institutes in Pokhara. It is a light of hope for aspiring medical professionals and the broader community and offers MD, BNS, BSc Nursing, MS, and MBBS programs.

PoAHS is located in Pokhara Metropolitan City-11, Ramghat, within the Kaski District of Gandaki Province. It benefits from its strategic location. Pokhara's large population and beautiful environment make it an ideal setting for a health science institution with immense potential.

The institute's proximity to the Seti River and the picturesque views of the surrounding hills enhance the educational experience. Pokhara's natural beauty, including its lakes, caves, temples, and hills, provides a serene and inspiring backdrop for students and faculty.

PoAHS occupies longstanding status by being the only medical institute for postgraduates (PG) in Gandaki Province at the government level, and the MBBS Program Starts in 2081 BS. In a short period, this institution achieves excellence by making continuous and hard efforts to disseminate knowledge, transfer skills, encourage medical education, innovate research, and contribute to establishing a healthy society. The Academy provides students with technical, medical, and professional knowledge. It provides an environment that advances research, innovation, and critical thinking and enables them to face life's challenges. 

The Academy's success is based on a combination of glorious traditions and innovative approaches multiplied by the excellent potential of human resources. PoAHS is proud to be a unique educational and medical challenge that graduates, certifies, and trains lifelong professional education for healthcare workers and physicians who contribute significantly to domestic and global medicine. 

Establishment and Legislative Background

PoAHS was founded as an autonomous teaching and health institution under the Pokhara Institute of Health Sciences Act, 2072, passed by the Legislature-Parliament. The institute evolved from the Western Regional Hospital to serve as a central hub for medical education, healthcare services, and research across Nepal.

• The Western Regional Hospital is the primary referral hospital for the entire Western Region of Nepal.

• This hospital provides healthcare services to a broad area encompassing 16 districts within the Western Region.

• It is the largest hospital the government operates in the Western Region of Nepal.

• The hospital's history includes its origins as a Soldier Board Hospital in 2012 BS, progressing through multiple upgrades to become a 500-bed Regional Hospital by 2071 BS.

• In 2072 BS, the hospital transitioned into an academic center and was renamed the Pokhara Academy of Health and Sciences (PoAHS).

• The hospital offers core services such as emergency care, outpatient consultations, inpatient care, and diagnostic testing.

• It provides specialized services such as safe motherhood programs, HIV/ART treatment, PMTCT, VCT, MMT, NRH, SBA, CAC, and PAC.

• Besides receiving funding from the Ministry of Health, the hospital generates almost half its operating budget through its income sources.

• The hospital administration actively seeks support from local authorities, political figures, social workers, and community organizations to improve PoAHS as a leading academic and treatment center.

• The hospital administration hopes that the Ministry of Health will continue to support PoAHS in its efforts to establish It as the premier health institution in the Western Region of Nepal.

Mission and Goals

PoAHS aims to produce skilled medical professionals by offering high-level education and research opportunities in health sciences. The institute is dedicated to providing quality healthcare services to the general public and contributing significantly to the country's medical field.

Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences (POAHS) is the sole government-level medical institute in Gandaki Province that offers postgraduate education. It is committed to achieving excellence through dedicated efforts in knowledge dissemination, skill transfer, medical education promotion, research innovation, and contributing to a healthy society.

The academy aims to provide students with technical, medical, and professional knowledge while fostering an environment conducive to research, innovation, and critical thinking. POAHS has actively implemented various health programs initiated by the Ministry of Health and Population. The academy's success results from combining established traditions with innovative approaches and utilizing the potential of its human resources. POAHS is a unique educational and medical complex that provides professional education and certification for physicians and healthcare workers who contribute to national and global medicine.

The academy is confident that its graduates will be able to compete successfully in the global medical field. It is considered a milestone in providing both basic and advanced quality health services, aiming to improve and maintain the health of Nepal's people.

Key Milestones

• The POAHS was established in 2072; the groundwork began in 2069.

• The institution began its medical education programs in 2076, marking a significant milestone when the Nepal Medical Council (NMC) granted 17 postgraduate seats across six disciplines.

• Initial programs included general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, general medicine, pediatrics, and anesthesiology. Seventy-six resident doctors are enrolled in various postgraduate (PG) courses.

• PoAHS is preparing to launch specialist programs such as the MBBS, Nursing, Public Health, Allied Health Sciences, and DM/MCH. The MBBS program will commence in fiscal year 2081/082.

Medical Education:

Medical education is the complete process of training individuals to become medical doctors. This involves initial schooling, such as medical school and internships, and specialized training through residencies, fellowships, and continuous professional development. The specific structure and content of medical education can vary widely worldwide. A diverse range of teaching methods are used in this field, which is also a subject of active research and study. Furthermore, medical education is an academic discipline in its own right, concentrating on how to train medical professionals at all levels best and incorporating teaching theories explicitly designed for the medical context.

Programs Offered:

• MD Anesthesiology

• Bachelor of Nursing Science

• BSc Nursing

• MS in General Surgery

• MD in Pediatrics

• MD in Obstetrics and Gynecology

• MS in Orthopedics

• MD in Internal Medicine

• MBBS

Research

Pokhara Institute of Health Sciences is also planning to advance research activities. The Institute has formed an Institutional Review Committee (IRC) of 8 members. The editorial board under the committee studies and edits articles published in international, national, and institute journals to determine whether they are suitable for publication.

The Institute has further accelerated research by establishing a Journal Committee and arranging training. The Institute has published five journals so far, and more journals are in the process of publishing. In addition, among the educational bodies required by the Institute of Medical Sciences, the Medical Education Department has also been established, and various academic programs are being coordinated.

PoAHS is a prominent institution dedicated to advancing medical education and healthcare in Nepal. With its dedication to excellence, strategic location, and comprehensive programs, PoAHS is well-positioned to significantly contribute to the health sector and encourage the next generation of medical professionals.

Contact the Pokhara Institute of Health Sciences's administrative office for detailed information on the course, admissions, location, fees, scholarships, facilities, counseling, or eligibility.