PAHS will be a self-sustaining, not-for-profit institution that will implement creative innovations in medical education and health care delivery in Nepal. PAHS graduates, in addition to providing care for many people in remote areas of Nepal who otherwise would not be treated by a doctor, will become leaders in public health.
Students will be recruited from underprivileged groups and exposed to a medical curriculum emphasizing rural medicine. During training, they will be sent to rural areas on rotations to work on community health projects and develop as "rural health leaders". Upon graduation, they will be required to spend 2-4 years practicing in a rural area.
Through the dedication of a team of Nepali physicians, scientists and community health experts PAHS is now ready to recruit students. Basic science and clinical curricula have been fully developed. Plans for rural community postings and internships have been fully elaborated. Faculty have been recruited and trained in Problem-Based Learning and other teaching methods. Innovative, valid and reliable student recruitment criteria and methods have been established.
The school now has basic classroom facilities in Patan Hospital in Kathmandu and is ready to accept its first students. As the school grows, it is planned to move to a steady state of 50 students.