Kathmandu- Nearly 68 percent of the candidates have failed in the medical registration certificate (licensing) examination for undergraduate level MBBS and BDS in medical education.

More than two-thirds of the candidates who participated in the licensing examination conducted by the Nepal Medical Council have failed. The medical registration certificate examination was held on Tuesday and Wednesday.

According to the council’s registrar Dr. Satish Kumar Dev, a total of 844 candidates participated in the MBBS and BDS examination. Out of which, only 262 (31.04 percent) passed. A total of 582 (68.96 percent) failed, the council said. 67.99 percent of the candidates for MBBS and 76.92 percent of the candidates for BDS failed the licensing examination.

770 candidates for medical had filled the form for the licensing examination. Out of which 17 were absent. Out of 753 candidates who appeared in the exam, only 241 (32.01 percent) passed. The results of 7 candidates in the medical stream have been withheld. 512 candidates have failed.

Out of 91 candidates who appeared in the dental (BDS) stream, only 21 (23.08 percent) passed. 70 candidates failed. The failure of most of the candidates in the exam confirms the poor quality of education in medical and dental colleges.

Medical education activists say that it is a matter of shame for students as well as professors, medical college administrators, and officials in regulatory bodies.

According to Nepal Medical Council Chairman Prof. Dr. Choplal Bhusal, old candidates who have appeared in the exam repeatedly in the past have failed the licensing exam this time too. They are allowed to participate until they pass the licensing exam.

Nepal Medical Association Chairman Dr. Anil Bikram Karki says that students who have studied outside Nepal have failed more. ‘Is the investment in medical education right or not? Along with the state, parents should also be serious,’ says Dr. Karki, ‘What should be done with those who repeatedly fail the licensing exam? This is a matter of concern.’ Dr. Bhusal informed that the council does not have exact details of where and in which medical/dental college the students who fail the licensing exam studied.

According to medical education professors, it has been found that average students who have studied medicine fail the licensing exam due to pressure from their parents. The question paper in the exam is prepared by professors and associate professors. According to the council officials, objective questions are asked from the syllabus. If 50 percent of the questions are correct, they pass the exam.

Former Dean of the Institute of Medical Studies (IOM) Prof. Dr. Jagdish Agarwal says that average students are also studying medical education. ‘Parents are eager to make their children doctors regardless of whether they are qualified or not,’ says Prof. Dr. Agrawal. ‘The results of admitting even weak students are being seen in the licensing examination.’ After passing MBBS or BDS, one has to get a license to work as a doctor. However, many people fail the licensing examination. Some do not pass even after writing the examination repeatedly. This shows the weak state of our medical education.

According to the Council Chairman Prof. Dr. Bhusal, it is time to be serious about what to do with the examinees who have failed the licensing examination repeatedly. Until they obtain a license, the qualification of a person who has studied MBBS (BDS) is equivalent to Plus Two.

‘It is time for the concerned bodies to seriously discuss what to do with students who fail no matter how many times they are given,’ says Dr. Bhusal. ‘Were there any shortcomings in the selection of students? Are there shortcomings in the teaching and learning? It is time for the concerned bodies to review this.’