Dear Members,
Regards,

President, Psychiatrists Association of Nepal (PAN)

The history of the modern psychiatry in Nepal is just six decades old. Starting from a single UK return psychiatrist, and just a handful of psychiatrists for the next 4 decades, we are now proud to be increasing rapidly in number since the advent of the new millennia, currently adding around 40 new locally trained psychiatrists a year; the total number surpassing many lucrative medical specialties in the country.

The interest and the opportunities in the sub-specialties for the young psychiatrists seem to be growing slowly. The general awareness among the public and stakeholders is also increasing day by day. With the tireless and creative contribution from members of the PAN since its inception, many remarkable milestones have been achieved, yet a lot needs to be done to catch up with the current world.

The access to the mental health services in rural Nepal, timely referral of mental health problems to concerned experts, availability of standard scientific treatment for substance use disorder , psychiatrists specializing in non- pharmacotherapy intervention, the stigma free work environment, respectable job/ research opportunities for new graduates as well as old, both in Government and private sectors, attraction in the allied mental health sectors like clinical psychology, psychiatric social work, occupational therapy, etc. still are difficult if not rare.
All these are achievable targets with effective advocacy, proper planning, judicious work division and collective effort. Together, we all can dream to make psychiatry the most interesting subject in the medical curriculum, the most lucrative specialty for the post-graduation, and the most respectable medical career in the society.

Thanking You
With Love, Regards, and Respect to all.
Prof. Dr. Rabi Shakya
President