Health Research Centre

IN a conference participated in by scientists, research scholars and medical doctors the other day, the Dean of the Institute of Medicine said that there had been thinking about making the organiser of the meet, TUTH (Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital) a regional health research centre of Asia by stepping up academic research works. The need to establish such a medical research centre has long been felt within the country. More so among the highly trained professionals who, in an absence of such a centre, have not been able to carry out researches that, in turn, could be beneficial to both the country and the region. In fact, it is an open secret that the nation is losing its cream of highly educated professionals in different fields of endeavour every year simply because of the glaring absence of such a research centre within the country. This trend is not only unfortunate, but is also a drain in the nation’s meagre resources. For, it does take a substantial amount of time and money for the nation just to produce a scientist, research scholar or a medical doctor, leave alone in providing further training to such a professional to hone his/her skills so that he/she can engage in research works. As such, as and when highly trained professionals opt to vote with their feet, the nation as a whole is left much the poorer. Hence, if the nation is to derive benefits from the heavy investments it has made in producing these high-calibre professionals, then it looks to reason for the concerned authorities to provide firm foundation to the idea of coming up with a well-equipped health research centre.

As all those who have worked in such institutes abroad will aver, establishing a well-equipped health research centre alone will not suffice. To give it a distinct identity, direction and vision, it needs a corpus of highly motivated team of scientists, research scholars and medical practitioners. As regards attracting highly motivated professionals to man the centre, the nation, compared to other developing nations, is said to be in an advantageous position in that it does have a large pool of highly trained professionals working at home and abroad. In order to attract the best brains working at home or abroad to the centre, the concerned authorities should and must not only provide them with the best incentives but also with world-class facilities.

Maintain Quality

A NEWS story in this daily has it that two bridges in Nawalparasi district of western Nepal have started collapsing within one month of construction. The two bridges were constructed over Jharai Khola and Danda Khola at the cost of 300 million rupees, for which a private construction company was awarded contract. Those living in that area claim that the construction company used substandard materials and did not pay due attention to quality while constructing the bridges. As a result, bridges started falling apart. If the claims are at all true this is a serious crime. The company that was awarded contract for the construction of the bridges need to be subjected to stern action as it compromised quality and betrayed the people. At the same time, the concerned government officials responsible for supervising the construction work are also equally responsible and punishable. Moreover, this should be an eye opener for the government and officials concerned for the maintenance of quality in the construction work. This is not the single case in which quality was compromised. There were several such complaints even in the past. But due attention was not given to check such malpractices. As a result, the same problem has resurfaced. Unless and until such malpractices are checked in time the country will have to face a big problem in the future. Bridges, roads and buildings are infrastructures for development. When development infrastructures are not properly built and quality is not maintained in building development infrastructures, how people can expect qualitative and sustainable development in the country. There should be no compromise in the quality in any sector including construction. Slightest compromise of quality in construction could cause great loss of life and property. It is more in Nepal as it is now slowly going ahead with social and economic development. In order to maintain quality in the construction work, strict action needs to be taken against those who compromise quality and also others who fail in their duty to properly supervise and report the flaws in the construction. Once anyone and any company is found to have compromised the quality, their names must be blacklisted and should be declared disqualified while awarding any contract in the future. This, to some extent, would help check flaws and maintain quality in the construction work. It is very necessary to maintain quality in construction work, which is the main basis of all other development of the country.