Medical microbiologists who have completed their studies from Tribhuvan University (TU) continue to face uncertainty regarding professional licensing in Nepal, despite their crucial contributions to healthcare, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Nepal Health Professional Council (NHPC) has stated that the licensing process for graduates of Medical Microbiology will move forward only after the Council's Board is fully constituted. According to Acting Registrar Ravikant Mishra, discussions are underway to address legal and procedural complexities related to licensing.
"There are several issues in the procedures, laws, and regulations that need clarification. The Board is currently incomplete. International practices, professions directly linked to human healthcare, and academic programs approved through the Medical Education Commission's Common Entrance Examination and CTEVT are currently covered under licensing provisions. Other pending issues will be discussed once the Board is complete," Mishra explained.
At the same time, the Council has argued that Medical Microbiology graduates have not traditionally been involved in direct medical practice. However, microbiologists strongly disagree, pointing to their significant role during the COVID-19 crisis, where they actively contributed to diagnostic and laboratory services.
Growing Frustration Among Graduates
The absence of a licensing mechanism has left many qualified microbiologists unable to work in positions matching their qualifications. As a result, a significant number have sought opportunities abroad.
The problem is widely attributed to inadequate coordination between academic institutions that provide the education and the regulatory body responsible for professional registration. While universities continue to produce graduates, licensing has remained stalled.
Approximately 100 Medical Microbiology graduates are produced annually by Tribhuvan University. Students who have completed four-year Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in Microbiology have been demanding professional recognition and licensing from the state for years.
Former coordinator of the struggle committee, Nabin Pokharel, argues that it is unjust to allow universities to offer the program while denying graduates professional registration.
"We are deprived of opportunities to compete in Public Service Commission examinations. Despite studying in this field, we cannot work professionally in the sector. Eleven colleges, including Tribhuvan University, formally requested NHPC to conduct inspections, but no action was taken."
Pokharel also emphasized that microbiologists demonstrated their capabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic by successfully working in hospitals and laboratories nationwide. He believes the Council should officially recognize and register them as Medical Microbiologists.
A Long-Standing Issue
According to Associate Professor Janak Raj Dhungana of Medical Microbiology at Tribhuvan University, the issue has persisted for over a decade.
He recalled that a movement demanding licensing took place around 2015 (2072 B.S.), ending after authorities promised a solution. Before the establishment of the Medical Education Commission, discussions had also taken place regarding licensing graduates who had already completed their studies. However, legal challenges later delayed progress, and the matter remains unresolved.
Dhungana noted that many graduates from TU are currently working successfully as microbiologists in foreign countries, demonstrating the quality and relevance of their education.
"Microbiologists are essential human resources in disease diagnosis and laboratory medicine. We have repeatedly drawn the government's attention to this issue."
"The State Has Ignored Us"
Students and professionals claim that while the government mobilized Medical Microbiologists extensively during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has since failed to recognize their profession.
According to Dhungana, around 150 individuals received temporary licenses in 2011 (2068 B.S.) after fulfilling NHPC requirements.
"Microbiology has been taught at Tribhuvan University since 1990. Nearly 150 professionals met the required criteria and received temporary licenses. However, when permanent licensing was requested, the process was halted. University departments repeatedly sought permanent registration, but the demand was never implemented."
Same Curriculum, Different Treatment
Former Head of the Central Department of Microbiology at TU, Professor Dr. Megh Raj Banjara, highlighted an apparent inconsistency in the licensing system.
According to him, NHPC currently licenses graduates who studied Microbiology under the Institute of Medicine, while those who completed the same subject under the Institute of Science and Technology remain ineligible.
"The curriculum is identical. Yet, without a license, these professionals are not officially authorized to sign laboratory reports, even though many are already working in hospitals."
Banjara argues that graduates from the Institute of Science and Technology are equally competent, but the lack of licensing has pushed many skilled professionals to migrate abroad.
Today, TU-trained microbiologists are successfully employed in countries such as the United States, Australia, and several European nations.
"Whether through licensing or another appropriate mechanism, these highly skilled professionals must be properly integrated into Nepal's healthcare system."
He further noted that the academic program already includes a six-month internship, during which students gain practical experience in hospitals and laboratories. This internship requirement was introduced in 2016 (2073 B.S.) following recommendations from NHPC itself.
While Medical Microbiology was once offered in eleven colleges, the number has now declined to seven. Nevertheless, around one hundred students continue to graduate each year.
A Profession Waiting for Recognition
The Department of Microbiology at Tribhuvan University has now completed 37 years of academic service. Throughout this period, it has produced a large pool of qualified professionals who have contributed both nationally and internationally.
The COVID-19 pandemic clearly demonstrated the importance of microbiologists in molecular testing, disease diagnosis, and laboratory management. Yet, despite their proven competence and growing international demand, many graduates remain professionally unrecognized within Nepal.
The ongoing licensing deadlock raises a broader question: How long can Nepal afford to overlook a skilled workforce that other countries are eager to employ?
