Bachelor of Science In Medical Laboratory Technology, BSc MLT Course In Nepal

Studying medical science with Laboratory Technology in Nepal is the initial process towards becoming a Professional Medical Lab Technician. They follow almost all the required procedures to find the accurate health condition of a person. Medical lab technology is the usage of lab equipment, tests, and procedures to assist in the diagnosis and prevention of disease through lab tests, and experiments.

However, clinical lab tests are an integral process for diagnosing diseases. Clinicians can't assume the type of illness without examining the bodily fluids. These examinations are important as they provide data that is analyzed for diagnosis and treatment.

Expert individuals perform these tests. They are trained professionals with the proper education and understanding of the techniques and machines. This course is much demanded in the healthcare sector of Nepal. It is led by nationally renowned faculties of lecturers with specialized knowledge of the field.

overview

In Nepal, a Bachelor of Science in Medical Lab Technology is a four-year undergraduate program offered by the School of Medicine and Allied Science of offering Universities. This program provides a comprehensive study of laboratory medicine with academic knowledge and skills, performing quality control and interpreting results. The courses are divided into Medical Microbiology, Clinical Biochemistry, Haematology, Histopathology, and Cytology. This program comes with theory and practical works during the study period and students of Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Technology are internally and externally assessed based on their knowledge and skills.

Lab technicians are mandatory in health science. Without them, it is impossible to retrieve the information required for disease identification.

Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine, Pokhara University, Madhesh Institute of Health Sciences, Madan Bhandari Academy of Health Sciences, and Kathmandu University are the providers of this program in Nepal each of four years duration and scholarships are also provided to marginalized background students to enable in studies of Bachelor of Science in Medical Lab Technology at concerned Colleges which have received affiliations from the above Universities in Nepal.

BSc MLT Course In Nepal

The history of laboratory services in Nepal was started by Bir Hospital for service to the patients in 1947. The technicians to oversee the labs were initially exported or they were trained in foreign countries.

Nevertheless, in more recent years education regarding medical lab technology has been made available in Nepal through different vocational programs. BSc MLT course is the only undergraduate degree for this purpose in the country.

It was first introduced at Maharajgunj Campus in 1987 in affiliation with Tribhuvan University. Later other universities also started providing this degree. Currently following institutions actively teach BSc MLT courses in Nepal;

  • Tribhuvan University (TU)
  • Pokhara University (PoU)
  • Kathmandu University (KU)
  • B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS)
  • Madan Bhandari Academy of Health Sciences (MBAHS)
  • Madhesh Institute of Health Sciences (MIHS)

General Information about BSc MLT Course

Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Technology, BSc MLT course in short form is a 4-year semester-wise undergraduate degree in the field of clinical science. The approximate credit hour of this program is 140. It varies depending on the curriculum structure of the respective universities.

When compared to the Clinical Imaging Technology degree, both the number of colleges and seats for BSc MLT courses is higher, despite both of them being technological programs in the field of health science.

There are a total of 22 institutions in Nepal, either affiliated with a university or privately providing the BSc Medical Laboratory Technology course. The total number of seats for this program allocated by the GoN is 381.

The table below compares the number of seats and colleges of different universities/institutions that provide the BSc MLT course.

Universities/

Institutions

No. of Colleges

No. of Seats

TU

10

165

PoU

4

100

KU

3

40

PU

1

10

RJU

1

6

BPKIHS

1

10 

MBAHS

1

30

MIHS

1

20

The above table is converted into the column chart which is provided below:

Course Structure

The BSc MLT course structure is designed in such a way that it provides students with the proper training and education on the usage of machines and instruments in the laboratory to examine bodily fluids. Along with this, they learn the proper methods to conduct various pharmaceutical tests.

The format of the BSc MLT course requires students to learn about the various types of laboratory tests, and ways to execute them correctly and safely. It also ensures that students are capable of interpreting the results.

Throughout the program, students learn different topics like microbiology, biochemistry, health and diseases, laboratory science, cell biology, and many more. Below listed are the major areas that the BSc MLT course structure covers:

  • Hematology
  • Pathology
  • Histopathology
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Anatomy
  • Cytopathology

Since, students will be equipped with knowledge, skills, and experience through lab work, research, and internships, they will be able to grab different job opportunities in the related field after completing the BSc MLT course.

objectives of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Medical Laboratory Technology

The main objectives for studying Bachelor of Science in Medical Lab Technology in Nepal are:

  • Produce professional graduates in Laboratory medicine who are academically sound, technically skilled, creative, and self-dependent in lab medicine roles.
  • To help in the interpretation of the results of tests.
  • To Examine and improve the current Medical Laboratory Science procedures.
  • To prepare professional manpower capable of conducting research works
  • To be able to set up medical lab services across the zones
  • To introduce and have qualitative results from the laboratory by using quality control techniques.
  • To manage subordinates, inventory in the lab, and make periodic reports.

Eligibility for Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Medical Laboratory Technology

In order to study Bachelor of Science in Medical Lab Technology program one should have the following requirements which must be met to be able to study this program at Universities in Nepal:

TU:

Should have passed Plus2 Science with 50 percent marks or 2.4 GPA with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as main subjects or A level Science with minimum 2.4 CGPA or 50 percent aggregate, or PCL/Diploma MLT with at least 50 percent marks, and appear and pass entrance exam with 50 percent marks for selection.

Pokhara University:

Must have passed PCL/Plus 2 Science with 50 percent marks or 2.4 GPA or same marks in A level Science, Diploma in Health Science ( Ayurveda Lab technology, or radiography or Ophthalmic Science of Dental Science) and pass entrance exam with 50 marks to qualify for this program.

Madhesh Institute of Health Sciences:

Same requirements as above.

Madan Bhandari Academy of Health Science:

The same requirements as above and also should be registered in Nepal Health Professional Council or Nepal Ayurveda Council,

Kathmandu University:

Same requirements as above.

Admission Requirement

The students should first pass the entrance exam conducted by the university/institution to be enrolled in the BSc MLT course in Nepal. They have to fill out the form with the correct information to sit in the admission test. It will be available on the official website of respective universities.

Here are some key details about the entrance examination that students might find useful.

  • The type of questions are objective.
  • The questions will be asked in the field of science and Mental Agility Tests (MAT) have a Total mark- of 200
  • Exam Duration- 3 hours
  • Pass marks- 100 marks (50%)
  • The admission test result will be considered while creating the merit list for the scholarship.

If students clear the entrance exam and are selected for the admission procedure, the college administration might demand the following documents;

  • Marksheet, character, and proof certificate of S.E.E/S.L.C
  • Transcript, mark sheet and migration, and character certificate of 10+2 or any equivalent course
  • Copy of citizenship
  • Entrance examination admit card and result

Fee Structure of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Medical Laboratory Technology

Fee Structure

Multiple factors determine the fee structure for any degree. BSc MLT course being both a clinical and technological educational program might seem expensive to pursue. However, the fee structure is affordable.

The price structure for the program is on the higher side in the private colleges than the public campuses. However, it is to be noted that scholarships are provided to capable students. They can claim it to reduce the price of the course.

If we keep aside the scholarship aspect, the estimated fee for the BSc MLT course in Nepal ranges anywhere from NPR 6,00,000 to NPR 8,00,000. Students are advised to visit their preferred college’s administration or the official website to acquire information regarding the cost.

Scholarships

There are a total of 381 seats available for the BSc MLT course in Nepal. Out of this 121 is allocated for the full scholarship. 55% of the scholarship seats (67) fall under general while the remaining 45% (54) fall under quota reservation.

career and scope of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Medical Laboratory Technology

BSc MLT program will open wide career prospects for the graduate students of this program. This educational program focuses on producing lab technicians and they are always sought after by hospitals and health-related organizations.

Some of the areas in Medical Lab fields where the graduates of Medical Lab technology can perform services for the general citizens in the Medical professions of Nepal are as follows:

  • Medical/Clinical laboratory technician
  • Pathologist
  • Microbiologist
  • Hematologist
  • Biochemist
  • Cytotechnologist
  • Immunology technician
  • Research Assistant
  • Laboratory manager