KATHMANDU: Minister for Drinking Water Pradeep Yadav has said that the need, importance and demand for dentists in Nepal is very great.

Addressing a program organized by the People’s Dental College and Hospital today to mark the 22nd death anniversary of the college’s chief founder, the late Tirtha Ratna Bajracharya, Minister Yadav said that the need for dental health services in Nepal is increasing day by day and the role of dentists is becoming more important.

He said, “Access to dental health services is still poor in many rural and remote areas of Nepal, due to which the demand for dentists there is very high. The government is paying attention to this direction and is also working on a plan to expand dental health services in the coming days.”

Highly appreciating the contribution of the late Tirtha Ratna Bajracharya, Minister Yadav mentioned that the late Bajracharya laid the foundation of Nepali dental education and his contribution is memorable even today.
He said, “Tirtha Ratna Bajracharya’s contribution to dental health services is great. This hospital and its students have an important role to play in making his dream come true and providing services to Nepali citizens in an easy and accessible manner.”

Rajendra Prasad Shrestha, the special guest of the program and Federal Council Chairman of the Janata Samajwadi Party, emphasized the need for collaboration among stakeholders to increase dental health awareness, expand services in rural areas, and improve the quality of dental education.

Bhim Bahadur Chand, Chief Executive Officer of People’s Dental College and Hospital, complained that although other procedures including financial assistance have been initiated to resume MBBS studies at People’s Dental College and Hospital, permission for teaching has not been received yet.

The program was attended by Bagmati Provincial Assembly Member Sailendra Bajracharya, Director General of the Department of Drinking Water and Sewerage Management Engineer Ram Kumar Shrestha, President of People’s Dental College Bidyabhushan Bajracharya, shareholder Shahanshila Bajracharya, Managing Director Roshan Luitel, Principal Prof. Dr. Surendraman Shrestha, students, and representatives from various health sectors.

The speakers present shared their views on the contributions of the late Bajracharya and the state of dental health in Nepal.