Non-emergency services in government hospitals across the country are closed on Tuesday after an assault on doctors.
The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) issued a statement announcing the shutdown of all health services except emergency services nationwide on Tuesday.
Patients arriving at hospitals following the announcement have begun returning home.
Ram Prasad Dahal from Dailekh had reached Bir Hospital early in the morning for treatment. He was scheduled to undergo surgery. However, he said that with the outpatient department (OPD) services closed, it is now uncertain when his treatment will take place.
"When I came on July 22, they gave me today's date. But today it is closed. I don't know when the next date will be. Maybe I will have to wait for a week," he said. "I had taken leave from work and come from Dailekh for treatment. But my leave is also about to expire. If they had expressed their protest through alternative means instead of a shutdown, service seekers wouldn't have suffered."
Safron Khatun had arrived in Kathmandu from Raxaul for treatment. He was given Tuesday's appointment to show his MRI report after a check-up in the OPD. He had even booked a return ticket for Tuesday evening. However, he said that he was in confusion after learning about the strike.
On July 25, doctors and healthcare workers working at Narayani Hospital in Birgunj were assaulted and the hospital was vandalized.
Dr Pramod Ram suffered serious head injuries from the attack, and other doctors and healthcare workers were also injured. The NMA has demanded action against those involved in accordance with the Security of Health Workers and Health Institutions Act, 2009.
However, the statement mentions that during discussions regarding this demand at the District Administration Office, Parsa, in the presence of Chief District Officer (CDO) Bhola Dahal, Superintendent of Police (SP) Sudeep Raj Pathak mobilized police and verbally abused and mistreated doctors, including a member of the NMA central executive committee and the president of the NMA’s Narayani branch. The NMA has condemned this incident.
Citing that the doctors were humiliated in this manner, the NMA has also demanded action against the SP and the CDO.
The NMA has announced that further protest programs will be decided after an all-party meeting.
After doctors and healthcare workers announced the suspension of non-emergency services on Tuesday, Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, joint spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Food Safety, issued an appeal requesting that health services not be shut down.
"The ministry appeals to all hospitals to ensure an environment where there is no disruption to citizens' treatment services, maintaining unhindered health service delivery while internalizing the sensitivity of health services, the dignity of the medical profession, and social responsibility," said Adhikari.
The ministry stated that incidents of assault and mistreatment of doctors, healthcare workers, and health institutions have drawn its serious attention. It added that necessary actions are being taken by relevant bodies to bring those involved within the legal scope.
The NMA declared the shutdown of all non-emergency services in hospitals across the country in protest, claiming that the state repressed doctors and healthcare workers.
