Proficiency Certificate in General Medicine is 3 years of course duration in Nepal. It is also known as HA ( Health Assistant) in Nepal.  A Health Assistant is one step below a physician. In essence, HAs are barefoot doctors and who can do almost anything except major surgery. This training is particularly useful in remote villages in the Himalayas, where there is no healthcare at all. After certification, an HA can manage a Health Post in the country, or head up an Outpatient of Emergency ward in urban hospitals. It is also possible to work in private hospitals with HA certification.

After completing, General Medicine course can be eligible to sit in the entrance examination of Bachelor in Public Health (BPH) and other disciplines, but need to complete deficiency course of science conducted by Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB) to be eligible for MBBS entrance examination. Only Patan Hospital ( PAHS – Patan Academy of Health Sciences) will take directly for MBBS in Nepal.