Friday, November 22, 2024
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Dr Bhola Prasad Rijal is a preeminent Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician in Nepal. Born in Dharan, the eastern hub of the country, in July 1948, Dr Rijal has pioneered In-vitro fertilization in Nepal a major treatment for infertility, thereby providing joy and hope for many couples. He is also the initiator for legalizing abortion in Nepal. Alongside his medical profession, Dr Rijal’s patriotism is reflected in his literatures and outstanding song writing ability, which has made him a renowned lyricists and singer in Nepal.
Early Life and Background
Dr Rijal is the son of a successful and educated landlord Janani Prasad Rijal and grandfather Dhurblal Rijal, who were also both lucrative poets and writers. His mother Purnamaya Devi Rijal, was an orphan whose lineage has been traced back to the “Luintel” family. To honour the family tradition, Dr Bhola Prasad Rijal was sent to the most prominent, highly regarded schools namely the Public High School in Dharan, AdarshaVidyalaya in Biratnagar, and later to Aadarsha Sewa Vidhyalaya in Varanasi India. He was married at the tender age of 15, to his ever-devoting wife, Sarala Ghimire when she was only 12 years old, in an arranged childhood marriage in accordance to the custom of the region. He then went onto gain his MBBS degree from Dhaka Medical College in Bangladesh in the year 1972. He returned to Nepal, as an eager newly qualified doctor and duly worked under His Majesty’s Government (HMG) in various hospitals around the country for about 7 years.
He decided to further his career and was keen to specialize in Gynaecology and Obstetrics, and returned to the University of Dhaka, Institute of Postgraduate Medicine and Research (IPGM &R) To complete his Postgraduate Diploma. He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the International College of Surgeons (FICS) and FRCOG from the Royal College of Thailand. In 1982 following his specialist training, he duly returned to Nepal to become the first practicing male gynaecologist, with the unsurpassable support and inspiration from his wife.
He decided to further his career and was keen to specialise in Gynaecology and Obstetrics, and returned to the University of Dhaka, Institute of Postgraduate Medicine and Research (IPGM & R) to complete his Postgraduate Diploma. He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the International College of Surgeons (FICS) and FRCOG from the Royal College of Thailand. In 1982 following his specialist training, he duly returned to Nepal to become the first practicing male gynaecologist, with the unsurpassable support and inspiration from his wife.
He lectured at the Institute of Medicine (IoM), Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) the only teaching hospital in Kathmandu then. In recognition of his work he was promoted to Assistant Professor at the institute. He went to become an Associate Professor in Gynaecology and Obstetrics.
Achievements and Awards
Hearing contributed much to the enhancement and improvement of the health of Nepali people, Dr. Rijal’s work has been recognized with various awards by both government and private institutions. He is a recipient of the Gorkha Dakshin Bahu, Nepal’s most honorable civilian award. While his most prestigious accolade was receiving the Dibya Mahila Rastriya Puraskar awarded by the Government of Nepal in recognition of his work and remarkable achievements in uplifting women’s health. Dharan, his hometown, felicitated him with sentinel award for his tremendous effort to acknowledge Dharan & Nepal in worldwide level.
The film industry afforded him with Kollywood Cinema Puraskar, Music Nepal Award fot the best film song of 2000 (Song name), Chinnalata Puraskar and even a lifetime achievement Award.
