Health Assistant (HA) training in Kathmandu is the starting point for hundreds of Nepal's primary health care providers. The colleges below all run the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) PCL in General Medicine programme, the qualification that prepares health assistants for clinical and primary healthcare work across Nepal.
What Is a Health Assistant (HA)?
A Health Assistant is a health worker trained through the three-year PCL in General Medicine programme, affiliated with CTEVT. Health assistants work in primary healthcare, in health posts, primary health care centres and hospitals, where they assess patients, provide basic clinical care and support doctors and nurses. The HA programme is not the same as PCL Nursing or ANM: PCL Nursing trains nurses, and ANM is a separate, shorter auxiliary nurse-midwife programme. Each college in this guide is listed here because it runs the HA (General Medicine) programme, not because it runs a nursing or ANM programme.
How to Choose an HA College in Kathmandu
Check three things before applying: that the college is affiliated with CTEVT for the PCL in General Medicine programme, that it has its own clinical practice arrangements so students get hands-on patient contact, and that its location and timetable suit you. Fees, seat numbers and admission dates change every year, so this guide does not list them; confirm them on the college's own official site or in the current CTEVT admission notice before you apply. Graduates register with the Nepal Health Professional Council (NHPC).
1. Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences (MMIHS)
Photo: Duy Tân Đại học
Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences (MMIHS) in Soaltemode, Kathmandu, is the best-known HA college in this guide. Established in 2007, it is affiliated with CTEVT for its PCL in General Medicine (Health Assistant) programme and with Tribhuvan University for its nursing and public health programmes. Its official site notes Tribhuvan University affiliation, Quality Assurance and Accreditation (QAA) certification, and Best Campus awards in 2018 and 2024. Contact: 01-5908745, [email protected], www.mmihs.edu.np.
2. Nepal Institute of Health Sciences (Stupa College)
Photo: Rakib Hosan
Nepal Institute of Health Sciences (Stupa College) in Boudha, Tushal, Kathmandu, established in 2001 under Stupa Health Care Center, runs the CTEVT-affiliated General Medicine (Health Assistant) programme. Its official site states that graduates receive Nepal Health Professional Council (NHPC) Grade B registration. The college also runs PCL Nursing, ANM and other CTEVT health programmes, so check that you apply for General Medicine (HA) specifically.
3. College of Medical Polytechnic, Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences (NAIHS)
Photo: Sahil Singh
College of Medical Polytechnic, Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences (NAIHS) at Bhandarkhal, Sanobharyang, Kathmandu, is the CTEVT-affiliated polytechnic college of the Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences. It runs the PCL in General Medicine (Health Assistant) programme, alongside PCL Nursing and PCL in Medical Laboratory Technology. Its institutional setting gives students access to army health services and clinical practice.
4. Kantipur College of Medical Science (KCMS)
Photo: Guilhemro
Kantipur College of Medical Science (KCMS) in Sitapaila, Kathmandu, established in 2003, is affiliated with CTEVT and with Tribhuvan University. It runs the PCL in General Medicine (Health Assistant) programme, along with Diploma in Pharmacy, PCL in Medical Laboratory Technology, and BSc and MSc Microbiology programmes. It is the college the draft of this guide originally named, under the wrong name, as Kantipur Institute of Medical Science.
5. Vinayak College of Health Science
Photo: Sahil Singh
Vinayak College of Health Science in Gaushala, Battisputali, Kathmandu, established in 2003, is affiliated with CTEVT and runs the PCL in General Medicine (Health Assistant) programme, along with PCL in Medical Laboratory Technology, PCL Lab Assistant and Diploma in Pharmacy programmes. Contact: 01-5911532, [email protected], vnc.edu.np.
6. BP Memorial Health Institute and Research Center
Photo: Sahil Singh
BP Memorial Health Institute and Research Center in Dhapasi, Kathmandu, is affiliated with CTEVT and runs the three-year PCL in General Medicine (Health Assistant) programme. Its official site is bpmemorial.edu.np.
7. All Nepal College of Technical Education
Photo: artawkrn
All Nepal College of Technical Education in Gaushala, Kathmandu, is affiliated with CTEVT and runs the PCL in General Medicine (Health Assistant) programme. It is a smaller, focused technical college, so prospective students should confirm current seats, fees and admission dates directly with the college before applying.
8. Holy Vision Technical Campus
Photo: A K G Group Of Colleges
Holy Vision Technical Campus in New Baneshwor, Kathmandu, is affiliated with CTEVT and runs the PCL in General Medicine (Health Assistant) programme. Its central location in New Baneshwor makes it easy to reach from across the Kathmandu Valley.
9. Nagarik College of Health Sciences
Photo: Vitaly Gariev
Nagarik College of Health Sciences in Koteshwor, Kathmandu, is affiliated with CTEVT and runs the PCL in General Medicine (Health Assistant) programme. It serves students from the eastern side of the valley, around Koteshwor and Baneshwor.
10. Martyr Memorial Institute of Science and Technology
Photo: Sahil Singh
Martyr Memorial Institute of Science and Technology in Kalopul, Kathmandu, is affiliated with CTEVT and runs the PCL in General Medicine (Health Assistant) programme. It rounds out this list for students in the northern part of the city.
How Admission Works
Admission to the PCL in General Medicine programme is through the CTEVT entrance process, and applicants normally need to have passed the SEE. Seats, fees and dates are set by CTEVT and by each college each year, so check the current CTEVT admission notice and the college's official site before applying. This guide gives no medical advice and no admission guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the HA course? The PCL in General Medicine (Health Assistant) programme is a three-year course.
Is HA the same as nursing? No. HA (General Medicine) trains health assistants for primary healthcare and clinical work; PCL Nursing trains nurses, and ANM is a separate auxiliary nurse-midwife programme.
What happens after graduation? Graduates register with the Nepal Health Professional Council (NHPC); Stupa College notes NHPC Grade B registration for its graduates.
Are fees the same at every college? No. Fees differ by college and change each year, so confirm them with the college directly.
An Editorial Note on the Order
The order in this guide is an editorial ordering, not a medical or quality ranking. It reflects prominence, verifiable information and location, and it does not rank colleges by the quality of their teaching or clinical care. This guide gives no medical advice.
Sources
Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT); Nepal Health Professional Council; the official websites of Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences, Nepal Institute of Health Sciences, Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences, Vinayak College of Health Science and BP Memorial Health Institute and Research Center; and the CTEVT-affiliated college programme listings used to confirm the remaining colleges.