Kathmandu, July 7
Patients across Nepal have been left in distress as the Nepal Medical Association (NMA) suspended all hospital services except emergency care on Monday.
Many patients and their relatives, who had arrived early at hospitals for medical check-ups, were forced to return without receiving OPD (outpatient department) tickets. Confusion and uncertainty prevailed at several hospitals, including the country’s oldest, Bir Hospital, where notices were posted informing patients that OPD counters were closed due to the protest.
The Nepal Medical Association launched the protest, citing a recent verdict by the Consumer Court that it claims interferes with the jurisdiction of the Nepal Medical Council. The court had ruled in favour of patients in recent medical negligence cases and ordered hefty compensation from hospitals and doctors.
One such ruling directed Om Hospital to pay Rs 5.07 million, Himal Hospital and its involved doctors to pay Rs 14.5 million, and Grande City Hospital along with its medical staff to pay Rs 5.7 million in compensation to the victims’ families.
The Association views these decisions as an overreach into medical regulatory authority and has staged the protest in response.
Earlier, the NMA had instructed doctors and health workers across the country to wear black armbands from July 1 as a symbolic protest. On Monday, however, the protest escalated to the suspension of all non-emergency services.
Despite regulations prohibiting strikes in sensitive sectors like healthcare, the ongoing protest has left many patients unable to access essential medical treatment.
