DM Cardiology

DM Cardiology – Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences (NAIHS) College of Medicine

DM Cardiology at the Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences (NAIHS) College of Medicine, Sanobharyang, Kathmandu, is a three-year super-specialty program designed for physicians who have already completed MD in Internal Medicine or an equivalent qualification and wish to specialize in cardiovascular medicine.

The program is part of the DM/MCh super-specialty cluster that NAIHS has recently initiated as a step towards advanced tertiary-level care and specialist training.

NAIHS functions as a not-for-profit academic institution under the Welfare Fund of the Nepali Army and runs its College of Medicine under the affiliation of the Institute of Medicine (IOM), Tribhuvan University. The college and its programs are recognized by the Medical Education Commission and the Nepal Medical Council, ensuring that graduates receive qualifications that are nationally regulated and professionally valid.

Program Establishment and Intake

DM Cardiology is one of the first approved DM programs at NAIHS, introduced alongside DM Critical Care Medicine and MCh Urology. The college began enrolling candidates in the 2081 B.S. academic year, with a very small, focused intake aimed at maintaining intensive supervision and high-quality clinical exposure. As per the current record, a combined total of two super-specialty trainees have been admitted across DM Cardiology and MCh Urology, indicating that the program is still in its early, carefully consolidating phase.

Affiliation, Teaching Hospital, and Learning Environment

All DM/MCh programs of NAIHS College of Medicine are conducted under the IOM–Tribhuvan University framework, which provides a structured curriculum and competency-based outcomes for super-specialty training.

Clinical training for DM Cardiology is primarily based at Shree Birendra Hospital (SBH), the 635-bed tertiary, central, and referral hospital of the Nepali Army located in Chhauni, Kathmandu. SBH offers a full spectrum of medical, surgical, emergency, diagnostic, and intensive care services, allowing DM Cardiology trainees to work with a broad case mix that includes acute coronary syndromes, heart failure, arrhythmias, valvular heart disease, and complex multi-system cases. The hospital serves serving and retired army personnel and their families, as well as civilian faculty and staff, which provides exposure to diverse patient profiles.

Program Structure and Training Components

Although DM Cardiology follows the general three-year DM structure, NAIHS places strong emphasis on:

Advanced clinical cardiology:

• Evaluation and management of inpatient and outpatient cardiac cases

• Participation in cardiology ward rounds, CCU care, and consultation services

Procedural and interventional skills (as per institutional facilities and regulatory norms):

• Exposure to diagnostic procedures such as echocardiography and other non-invasive investigations

• Progressive involvement in invasive and interventional procedures where available and approved

Academic and research work:

• Regular seminars, case presentations, journal clubs, and combined academic sessions with other departments

• Design and completion of a super-specialty level research project aligned with institutional priorities in cardiovascular health

Integrated learning with other disciplines:

• Collaboration with Internal Medicine, Critical Care, Anesthesiology, Radiology, and Emergency Medicine, ensuring holistic management of complex cardiac cases

Key Competencies Expected at Completion

By the end of the DM Cardiology program, trainees are expected to:

• Demonstrate independent clinical decision-making in the diagnosis and management of common and complex cardiac disorders

• Handle emergencies such as acute myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, life-threatening arrhythmias, and advanced heart failure within a tertiary-care setting

• Interpret and use non-invasive and invasive cardiology investigations effectively in patient management

• Contribute to multidisciplinary care, medical education, and clinical research within cardiology and related fields

Career Prospects and Scope

Graduates of DM Cardiology from NAIHS are prepared for roles such as:

• Consultant cardiologist in tertiary-care hospitals (public, army, or private sector)

• Academic faculty in medical colleges offering MBBS, MD, and DM programs

• Specialist positions in critical care units, cardiac intensive care units, and advanced diagnostic centers

• Contributors to national cardiac health programs, guideline development, and clinical research initiatives

Why Choose DM Cardiology at NAIHS?

• Part of a focused DM/MCh super-specialty initiative that NAIHS is expanding as a priority area for the coming years

• Integration with a large teaching hospital (Shree Birendra Hospital) that provides sustained exposure to high-acuity and varied cardiac cases

• Academic environment shaped by experienced faculty and a long-standing MD/MS program base, supporting strong mentorship at the super-specialty level

For prospective candidates who already hold an MD in Internal Medicine and aspire to deepen their expertise in cardiovascular medicine, DM Cardiology at NAIHS offers a structured, clinically rich pathway to become a specialist serving both institutional and national health needs.