Dr. Bhupendra Basnet has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS). Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has appointed Dr. Basnet as the Vice Chancellor of the National Academy of Medical Sciences based on the recommendation of the search committee.
According to the National Academy of Medical Sciences Act 2063, Section 18(2), a three-member search committee was formed under the chairmanship of Minister of Health and Population, Mohan Bahadur Basnet. The committee consisted of Health Secretary Dr. Roshan Pokharel and a representative from the National Planning Commission as the health sector member. Eleven applications were received for the position of Vice Chancellor, and three names were recommended by the team.
Prof. Dr. Bhupendra Basnet, former Dean of NAMS Dr. Piyush Dahal, former Director of Bir Hospital Prof. Dr. Buland Thapa, Head of Radiology Department at Bir Hospital Prof. Dr. Saroj Sharma, Prof. Dr. Anil Mishra, Dr. Deepak Thapa, Dr. Revati Raman Mall, Dr. Praveen Shrestha, former Director of Kanti Children's Hospital Dr. Ajit Rayamajhi, former Director of Maternity and Women's Hospital Dr. Amir Babu Shrestha, and Dr. Dirgha Raj Joshi had applied for the position.
Dr. Basnet had previously served as the Director of Bir Hospital twice. The term of the Vice Chancellor is four years. The newly appointed Vice Chancellor, Dr. Basnet, mentioned advancing the tobacco program that he had previously initiated. He emphasized expanding the program to various hospitals nationwide, including Bir Hospital, Maternity Hospital, and others.
He also expressed his intention to further develop Bir Hospital as a referral hospital, which would reduce the burden on other hospitals. Dr. Basnet established the International Affairs Section at NAMS and initiated collaborative programs with internationally renowned universities to provide specialized services.
He also mentioned the need for physical improvements at Bir Hospital after the construction of the new surgical building, including the addition of well-equipped operation theaters and intensive care units.
