Radiologists are physicians who diagnose illnesses based on imaging and related tests, such as ultrasound, x-rays, nuclear medicine techniques and MRIs.
Nepal faced an acute shortage of radiologists in the earlier decades but now, interest in specialization in this medicinal field is growing.
“There are over 150 radiologists practicing in Nepal,” says Radiologist Dr Bishnu Lal Joshi who has been in this profession in Nepal for 32 years. Dr Joshi was also one of the past Presidents of the Nepal Radiologists Association (NRA), an organization working to develop radiology in Nepal.
To become a radiologist, one must hold a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree and then attain a Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Radiology.
Programs in radiology in Nepal are offered by colleges and institutions such as 1) BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan; 2) College of Medical Sciences, Bharatpur; 3) Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu; 4) National Medical College, Birgunj; 5) Nepalgunj Medical College, Nepalgunj; and 6) Universal College of Medical Sciences in Bhairahawa.
To apply for the MD Radiology course, candidates must also have a one-year internship and one-year work experience.
The field of radiology has seen a revolution with the addition of many therapeutic, interventional and diagnostic procedures.There are many areas of sub-specialties that radiologists can pursue, and some of them include Interventional Radiology, Cardiovascular Radiology, Gastrointestinal Radiology and Neuroradiology.
(Source: Republica National Daily)
