Institute of Medicine
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) was established in 1972 under Tribhuvan University with the mandate to train all categories of health manpower required in Nepal. Within its first decade, IOM developed 12 campuses across the country, with 3 in Kathmandu and 9 outside the Kathmandu Valley.
Initially, emphasis was placed on training middle-level health workers through the following programs:
- ANM
- CMA
- Proficiency Certificate Course in General Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Radiology
- Physiotherapy
- Nursing
- Health Laboratory
- Traditional Medicine
By 1977, in response to national needs, IOM introduced a two-year Bachelor of Nursing program in:
- Community Nursing
- Pediatric Nursing
- Adult Nursing
In 1978, a community-oriented integrated MBBS program was launched with an initial intake of 22 students, later increased to 30 and then to 40.
The 700-bed Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) was completed in 1982 with support from JICA, serving as a center for clinical training, research, and healthcare delivery.
In 1982, a three-year MD General Practice program was initiated in collaboration with the University of Calgary, Canada. In 1984, a one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Anesthesiology was introduced under the same partnership.
Super-specialized training began in 2008 with the MCh program in the following surgical fields:
- Gastroenterology
- Urology
- Neurosurgery
- Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery
Currently, IOM conducts over 63 academic programs at proficiency certificate, undergraduate, postgraduate, DM/MCh, and PhD levels across 7 constituent campuses: Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Maharajgunj Nursing Campus, Ayurved Campus (Kirtipur), Pokhara Nursing Campus, Birgunj Nursing Campus, Nepalgunj Nursing Campus, and Biratnagar Nursing Campus. It offers DM in 6 super-specialties, MCh in 5 super-specialties, and PhD in 3 programs.
IOM has 15 affiliated health science colleges offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Seven affiliated colleges run the MBBS program, admitting 700 students annually. Including Maharajgunj Medical Campus, the total MBBS intake under the TU system is 775. Three of the eight TU medical schools are located in the Kathmandu Valley.
Maharajgunj Medical Campus is the largest in terms of programs, students, and faculty. The 700-bed TUTH provides advanced super-specialty services. The Ayurved Campus operates autonomously under IOM. The Institute oversees teaching, examinations, and services across all constituent campuses and affiliated colleges. As Nepal’s premier institution for health science education and service, IOM continues to expand its reach and impact.
