PCL in General Medicine-Health Assistant (HA)

PCL in General Medicine (Health Assistant) at Nepal Institute of Health Science (Stupa College)

The Proficiency Certificate Level in General Medicine, commonly associated with the Health Assistant (HA) pathway, at Nepal Institute of Health Science (Stupa College) is a three-year technical health program affiliated with the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT).

The program follows a yearly system and combines general and clinical medicine with surgery, primary health care, family health, environmental health, health education, epidemiology, health management, clinical practice, and community fieldwork. The 2024 CTEVT curriculum is structured to prepare middle-level technical personnel for clinical and community health responsibilities.

Key Highlights

• Course: Proficiency Certificate Level in General Medicine

• Common Reference: Health Assistant (HA)

• College: Nepal Institute of Health Science (Stupa College)

• Location: Gokarneswor-05, Bouddha, Tushal, Pipalbot, Kathmandu

• Affiliation: CTEVT

• Duration: 3 academic years

• Academic System: Yearly system

• Medium of Instruction: English and/or Nepali

• Entrance: CTEVT entrance examination

• Attendance: Minimum 90% in each subject to appear in the respective final examination

• Main Practical Components: Clinical practice, primary health care practicum, laboratory and medical procedures, and community field practicum

• Professional Council: Nepal Health Professional Council

The 2024 curriculum sets the program group size at a maximum of 40 students.

Course Focus

The HA program is centred on practical health services at clinical and community levels. Students are trained in patient assessment, provisional diagnosis, referral, treatment support, medical investigation, first aid, maternal and child health, nutrition, family planning, health education, and management of health services.

The curriculum also covers administrative responsibilities relevant to Health Posts and Primary Health Care Centers, including health records, supervision, logistics, national health programs, quality assurance, and health service management.

Eligibility and Admission

Eligibility: The 2024 CTEVT curriculum specifies the following entry pathways:

• SLC, SEE, or equivalent with a minimum GPA of 2.0 and grades in compulsory Mathematics, English, and Science; or

• CMA-equivalent qualification with a minimum of 68.33%.

Candidates must pass the entrance examination administered by CTEVT.

PCL in General Medicine is a CTEVT program. Admission follows the CTEVT entrance and admission system. MECEE-BL is not required for admission to this course.

Course Duration and Academic Structure

The program runs for three academic years under the yearly system. One academic year consists of 35 academic weeks, including the evaluation period.

The first stage builds the general basic science foundation, while later study moves into applied medicine, surgery, public health, primary health care, clinical practice, and community work.

Second Year

The second-year curriculum includes:

• Medicine-I

• Surgery-I

• Basic Medical Procedures and First Aid

• Clinical Pathology

• Pharmacology and Pharmacy

• Environmental Health

• Health Education

• Primary Health Care and Family Health, including maternal and child health, family planning, and nutrition

These subjects combine theory and practical study according to the curriculum structure.

Third Year

Third-year study includes:

• Medicine-II

• Surgery-II

• Health Management

• Epidemiology, Demography and Community Diagnosis

• Comprehensive Clinical and PHC Practicum

• Comprehensive Community Field Practicum

The comprehensive clinical and PHC practicum runs for 16 weeks, while the comprehensive community field practicum runs for eight weeks.

Medicine-II includes pediatrics, neonatology, psychiatry, and dermatology. Surgery-II incorporates ENT, dentistry, and ophthalmology.

Clinical and Community Learning

Practical training is an important part of the HA curriculum. Students work with clinical procedures, pathology, pharmacology, first aid, environmental health, family health, epidemiology, community diagnosis, and primary health care before moving into comprehensive practicum.

At Stupa College, the wider clinical and field learning environment includes hospitals, health facilities, primary health care settings, health posts, and community locations. Exposure areas associated with the college include Stupa Community Hospital, Bhaktapur District Hospital, Nepal Orthopedic Hospital, Gokarna PHCC, Kapan Health Post, Nayapati Health Post, and Indrayani Health Post, together with community field areas in Kathmandu and other districts.

Skills Developed Through the Program

The curriculum develops practical competencies connected with the responsibilities assigned to middle-level general medicine personnel. Students work on areas such as:

• Patient assessment and provisional diagnosis

• Identification and referral of cases

• Basic medical and surgical procedures

• First aid and common emergency management

• Routine medical investigations

• Maternal and child health services

• Nutrition and family planning services

• Community health programming

• Health education and counseling

• Health Post and primary health care management

• Medical record keeping and reporting

• Supervision and health service coordination

These competencies are developed through theory, guided practical work, clinical exposure, and community-based learning.

Professional Licensing

Completion of the academic program is followed by the applicable professional council process. Health Assistant graduates must meet the licensing and registration requirements of the Nepal Health Professional Council (NHPC) before entering professional practice under the relevant regulatory framework.

The HA curriculum also covers the role and responsibilities of NHPC and professional practice within health management study.

Career Direction

After completing the program and meeting the applicable professional council requirements, graduates may seek Health Assistant and related middle-level health roles according to recruitment criteria and available positions.

Working settings associated with the qualification include:

• Hospitals

• Polyclinics

• Primary Health Care Centers

• Health Posts

• Other government and non-government health institutions

Career entry depends on professional registration, recruitment requirements, competence, experience, and available vacancies.

The qualification may also support progression to bachelor-level study where the candidate meets the admission and eligibility requirements of the chosen program.

College Contact

Address: Gokarneswor-05, Bouddha, Tushal, Pipalbot, Kathmandu

Phone: +977-1-4917557, +977-1-4917558, +977-1-4917720

Email: info@stupahealth.org.np

Website: www.stupahealth.org.np

FAQ

What is the full name of the HA course?

The official curriculum title is Proficiency Certificate Level in General Medicine. The program is commonly associated with the Health Assistant pathway.

How long is the Health Assistant course?

The program runs for three academic years under the yearly system.

Is MECEE-BL required for HA admission?

No. PCL in General Medicine is a CTEVT program, and admission follows the CTEVT entrance system rather than MECEE-BL.

Is a CTEVT entrance examination required?

Yes. Candidates must pass the entrance examination administered by CTEVT.

What is the attendance requirement?

Students need a minimum of 90% attendance in each subject to appear in the respective final examination.

Does the HA course include clinical practice?

Yes. The curriculum includes practical study throughout the program and a 16-week comprehensive clinical and PHC practicum in the third year.

Does the course include community fieldwork?

Yes. Third-year study includes an eight-week comprehensive community field practicum.

Which professional council is associated with Health Assistants?

The relevant professional body is the Nepal Health Professional Council. Graduates must meet the applicable NHPC licensing and registration requirements before professional practice.