Rapti Academy of Health Sciences (RAHS) Launches BSc Nursing and BNS Programs
Located in Ghorahi, Dang, the Rapti Academy of Health Sciences (RAHS) has recently begun nursing studies and teaching. The institute, having been established for 6 years now, is excited to offer BSc Nursing and BNS programs.
Nursing Program Enrollment
For its inaugural year, RAHS has welcomed 40 students, split equally between BSc Nursing and BNS. Prof. Dr. Vikas Lamichhane, the Vice-Chancellor of RAHS, disclosed that the academy permits 15 Nepalese government scholarship holders and 5 fee-paying students to register in these 4-year BSc Nursing and 3-year BNS courses.
The Transformation of Rapti Sub-Regional Hospital
In the past, the Rapti Sub-Regional Hospital was upgraded to the Rapti Academy of Health Sciences on September 28, 2017. Despite initial talks of introducing nursing studies, it took some time for the courses to be officially launched.
Educational Programs Begin Despite Delays
According to Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Lamichhane, the delay in establishing educational programs was due to the construction of the institution's physical infrastructure. "While the establishment of RAHS took some time, our educational programs were not launched immediately, causing some uncertainty," said Dr. Lamichhane. He added that the introduction of the nursing studies is meant to dispel that confusion.
Infrastructure Limitations and Future Plans
Currently, the academy's infrastructure development is still in progress, limiting the classes to BSc Nursing and BNS under the educational program. Prof. Dr. Lamichhane shared the institute's plans for future expansion, "We lack a building for specialist medical education classes at the moment. However, the government has allocated a budget for building construction. Once a planned 400-bed, 8-story building is built according to the RAHS master plan, we will begin teaching MBBS classes."
Implications for Local Health Sector Development
The commencement of these educational programs is significant for the local health sector. Nityanand Sharma, the head of the district coordination committee, voiced his optimism about the impact of these courses. He emphasized that while nursing classes have been conducted in the district previously, the new BSc Nursing and BNS classes will notably contribute to the production of health manpower in the district, thereby fostering the growth of the health sector.
The launch of these new programs by Rapti Academy of Health Sciences marks a significant milestone in the progression of the health education sector in Ghorahi, Dang, promising to create opportunities and develop the necessary health manpower for the district.
