Life & Health

Patients visiting hospitals and health institutions have been left in lurch due to strike called by the Nepal Medical Association which has led to significant disruptions in the healthcare services across the country. 

The Nepal Medical Association decided to close all non-emergency health services across the country on Saturday in protest of police action against doctors outside the National Trauma Centre. 

Dr Janith Lal Singh, a senior orthopaedic surgeon at the trauma centre, was injured when police used force to clear the road for the President's motorcade on Friday afternoon.

In a statement released earlier on Saturday, the NMA urged an impartial investigation of the incident, disciplinary action against errant police officers, and a review of the VVIP security protocol to ensure that the general public is not inconvenienced during VVIP movement.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has appealed to the agitating doctors to withdraw the strike and return to regular service. Expressing grief over Saturday’s incident, the ministry has issued a statement, saying, "Following the incident, the Nepal Police has suspended the security personnel involved in the incident and is further investigating the incident.” 

Negotiations are ongoing between the representatives of the protesting doctors and the government team at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.

Secretary at the PM's Office Dr Ganesh Pandey is holding talks with NMA President Dr Lochan Karki, Director of the trauma centre Dr Rudra Marasini to resolve the issue.

All photo: NepalMinute.com