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Key Points

The Nepal Medical Association has launched a comprehensive nationwide strike affecting non-emergency medical services across the country. This protest stems from ongoing disputes about allowance disparities for resident doctors in private medical colleges. The strike is part of a larger movement demanding equal compensation and addressing what doctors describe as labor exploitation. Health Minister Pradip Paudel has publicly supported the doctors' demands, indicating potential future negotiations.

Key Points: Nepal Doctors Strike Nationwide Over Medical College Allowances

  • Nepal Medical Association announces nationwide medical service boycott
  • Resident doctors demand equal allowances with government colleges
  • Protest targets private medical institutions' wage disparities
  • Health Minister Pradip Paudel supports doctors' demands
2 min read

Nepal Medical Association announces boycott of non-emergency medical services

Nepal Medical Association suspends non-emergency services demanding equal pay for resident doctors in private medical colleges

"Labour exploitation of resident doctors by private medical colleges must stop - Dr. Shesh Raj Ghimire"

Kathmandu, April 25

The Nepal Medical Association(NMA) on Friday announced a nationwide boycott of all medical services, except for emergency and intensive care at private and government hospitals, medical colleges, and clinics across the country.

The strike will affect tens of thousands of sick people in Nepal, depriving them of medical treatment, according to local media reports.

The association took the step in solidarity with resident doctors pursuing MD/MS degrees in private colleges, who had been demanding allowances equal to those of government-owned colleges.

Several local media reported that the medical practitioners staged a demonstration on Thursday at Maitighar in Kathmandu, cordoning off the district administration offices.

They staged the protest at the call of the Nepal Doctors’ Association, alleging that they have not been provided the allowance as per the decision of the government and have been subjected to labour exploitation.

Earlier, the 16th meeting of Nepal's Medical Education Commission, presided over by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was held following protests and a boycott of non-emergency services by the agitating postgraduate student doctors in February this year.

The Commission decided to align allowances for postgraduate students from private medical colleges with those from government-owned colleges.

However, Private medical colleges refused to implement the commission's decision, citing that they are not in a position to increase the remuneration and existing law does not compel them to abide by the decision.

“Labour exploitation of resident doctors by private medical colleges must stop, and we are against any kind of labour exploitation. We have been demanding the implementation of the decision of the meeting of the Medical Education Commission headed by the Prime Minister,” said Dr Shesh Raj Ghimire, coordinator of the Safe Workplace Struggle Committee for Health Workers.

Meanwhile, the NMA representatives and the protesting doctors also held a meeting with Nepal’s Health Minister Pradip Paudel. The Minister expressed support for the demands of the agitating doctors, Nepal’s leading newspaper, The Kathmandu Post reported.

“Minister Paudel reiterated that the government is committed to implementing the decision of the 16th meeting of the Medical Education Commission. But resident doctors need a stipend on par with those of government-owned colleges, not only the minister’s commitment,” said Anil Bikram Karki, President of the association.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sabina K.
This is heartbreaking 💔 While I understand the doctors' demands, patients are suffering the most. There must be a better way to protest without putting lives at risk.
R
Rajesh P.
Fully support the doctors! Private colleges have been exploiting resident doctors for too long. Equal pay for equal work is a basic right. #StandWithDoctors
A
Anjali M.
My mother's regular checkup got canceled because of this. I understand the cause but wish there was more warning before services were stopped.
P
Prakash D.
The government needs to step in and enforce the commission's decision. Private colleges can't just ignore rulings when it suits them. This is about basic fairness in our medical education system.
B
Bina S.
While I support the doctors' rights, I'm concerned about the timing. With monsoon season coming, we usually see more illnesses. Hope this gets resolved soon 🤞
K
Kiran T.
Respectfully, I think the NMA could have chosen a different approach. Strikes that affect patient care should be the absolute last resort. There must be other ways to pressure private colleges.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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