May 05, Kathmandu - Eight candidates have applied for the position of Chairperson at BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Chitwan. The Ministry of Health and Population called for open competition to fill the post, and applications were received by the deadline yesterday, Monday.

The applicants include Dr. Bishwaram Poudel, Dr. Bijay Chandra Acharya, Dr. Lakshmi Narayan Singh, Development Acharya, Dr. Ajay Kumar Jha, Prof. Dr. Yogendra Prasad Singh, Dr. Bhawana Wagale, and Dr. Jay Shrestha.

The ministry issued a public notice on Baisakh 15, inviting qualified physicians to submit their applications within seven days. The selection process will proceed based on the applications received, according to sources within the ministry.

Previously, the Council of Ministers had a practice of directly appointing the chairperson based on the ministry’s recommendation. However, this time, a competitive process is being adopted. According to the Hospital Act, 2053 (1996), the candidate must hold a postgraduate degree in medical sciences and have at least 15 years of experience in cancer treatment or 20 years in the overall health sector.

The position, which has a three-year term, was previously held by Dr. Bijay Raj Naupane. With his tenure now complete, the process to select a new chairperson has been initiated.