PAHS concludes first convocation

KATHMANDU: Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS) successfully held its inaugural convocation ceremony, a significant event marking a key milestone in the institution's pursuit of excellence in healthcare education, on Wednesday, April 24.

The first convocation, held at the Nepal Army Sport Complex in Satdobato, recognised 458 graduates who had completed Fellowship MD/MS, MBBS from the School of Medicine, MPH from the School of Public Health, and MN, BSc Nursing, BNS, from the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister and Chancellor of PAHS, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, commended the Academy for its innovative educational model that integrates the latest developments in healthcare, particularly emphasising the inclusion of subjects like medical humanities. This approach fosters health professionals who are not only skilled but also compassionate, a quality evidenced by the impactful work of the graduates within the community.

PM Dahal praised the Academy's efforts in providing care to people from rural parts of the country. Reflecting on lessons learned from the Covid 19 pandemic, he underscored the importance of preparedness in tackling emerging challenges. He stated, "It is imperative to strengthen the public sector health facilities and extending healthcare services to these areas is of high priority. The government is working to improve the physical infrastructure of hospitals across the country and I assure that new building projects as per the Master Plan will go ahead."

Similarly, Chief Guest and Orator, Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, commented, "The Academy is doing a commendable job producing compassionate health professionals through community engagement and teaching medical humanities. The world can and should learn from the great work being done here. It is important to feel a sense of gratitude and so I ask all the graduates to serve their own country, to give back to the nation that has helped them to reach where they are now, to give back to the parents and families who have sacrificed so much for them. We all need to do our bit to make this world a better place, a more just and equitable place. That is compassion in action."

Satyarthi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for his relentless crusade against the oppression of children and youth, and his unwavering commitment to ensuring every child's right to education. Through "Bachpan Bachao Andolan", he has been instrumental in liberating more than 115,000 children from child labour, slavery, trafficking and other forms of exploitation, many of them from Nepal, and developed a successful model for their education, rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The Global March Against Child Labour, which he led, galvanised support in 103 countries resulting in the adoption of ILO Convention 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour. This went on to become the only universally ratified convention in the history of the ILO. With the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion, he exemplifies a life guided by compassion, setting an unmatched standard in the field of social reforms.

Similarly, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Rajesh Nath Gongal stated, "All three schools of the Academy — the School of Medicine, the School of Public Health, and the School of Nursing and Midwifery — have achieved remarkable milestones. The curricula of all three schools have been developed to align with the mission of the Academy: to produce technically competent and compassionate health professionals willing to work for the people of Nepal, especially those from rural disadvantaged populations." He highlighted the progress made in Patan Hospital and congratulated the graduates on this significant achievement. He urged those who are abroad to return home and serve their own country. "There is no greater privilege than to serve your own people and no greater joy in life than to serve your parents in their time of need,” he remarked.

The convocation concluded with a sense of pride and optimism as the graduates bid farewell to their alma mater, ready to embrace new challenges and opportunities in their professional lives.

The Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS) was established in 2008 on the solid foundation of Patan Hospital, which has a history dating back to 1956 as Shanta Bhawan Hospital.