Medical imaging visualizes interior body parts for noninvasive medical intervention and clinical analysis. It began in 1895 with Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen's discovery of X-rays. Since then, technologies such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound (US), Elastography, Photoacoustic Imaging, Tomography, Echocardiography, and Spectroscopy have been developed. The integration of computers into medical imaging in the early 1970s, marked by the introduction of computed tomography (CT) and MRI, has significantly advanced the field.
Medical imaging in Nepal has a 90-year history, beginning in 1923 with the installation of an X-ray machine at a military hospital in Kathmandu. Significant advancements occurred only after 1994, with the introduction of Ultrasound, CT, MRI, mammographic, gamma camera, and telecoalt-60 radiotherapy units.
As of 2024, Nepal offers the Bachelor in Medical Imaging Technology (BMIT) program through two health science academies—BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS) and National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS)—and two universities—Kathmandu University (KU) and Tribhuvan University (TU).
Tribhuvan University provides its BMIT program through five different colleges, enrolling 38 students annually, while Kathmandu University offers its program through three colleges, admitting 22 students each year. Both BPKIHS and NAMS enroll ten students each in their BMIT programs.
Of the total 80 BMIT seats available across these institutions, 27 are allocated for scholarships, with 16 seats designated for open scholarships (55%) and 11 for reservation scholarships (45%).
Sub-Sections (4), (6), and (7) of Section 17 of the National Medical Education Act, 2018 and Section 20 of the National Medical Education Regulations 2020 has outlined this process about BSc MIT Scholarships in Nepal.
For details visit: Medical Education Scholarships Provision of the Government of Nepal
In 2024, the Government of Nepal allocated 27 BSc MIT scholarship seats, with 16 (55%) designated for general scholarships and 11 (45%) reserved for various categories.
Read more: Scholarships to Study Bachelor in Medical Imaging Technology (BMIT) in Nepal
Must have studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology subjects from a recognized educational institution and passed with a minimum of 50% or 2.4 CGPA/GPA in the Proficiency Certificate Level or Grade 12 Science Group.
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Students from A-level or other similar programs with different grading systems should have studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology subjects and passed with a minimum of 50 percent or 2.4 CGPA/GPA. Must have obtained equivalence letter.
or
Proficiency Certificate Level / Diploma in Radiography and registered in Nepal Health Professional Council (NHPC).
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Proficiency Certificate/Diploma in Health Science (Medical Lab Technology or Ophthalmic Science or Dental Science or Pharmacy or Radiography or Ayurveda or Physiotherapy) with minimum 50% marks in aggregate and having studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology subject with minimum 50% in aggregate or 2.4 CGPA/GPA marks from National Examination Board and obtained the equivalence of class 12th science group. The candidate must have registered iwith the concerned council.
Over the past two decades, Nepal has acquired approximately 1,200 X-ray units, 800 Ultrasound units, 30 CT scanners, 10 MRI machines (≤ 1.5T), and 11 mammographic units. However, there is a notable scarcity of skilled professionals, with only hundreds of radiologists, radiographers, and a few radiation oncologists, physicists, and radiotherapy technologists in the country.
Around 400 radiographers are available in the country. This number is not sufficient to cover all centers. Most of the rural hospitals and private X-ray clinics are still lacking properly qualified radiographers.