Kathmandu: Hospitals and health institutions across Nepal have shut down all services except emergency care today, following a call by the Nepal Medical Association (NMA). The protest is in response to recent decisions by the Consumer Court regarding cases of medical practices.
According to National News Agency Nepal, at Bir Hospital, the country’s oldest hospital, only follow-up and patients requiring emergency intervention are being treated. Hospital Director Dr. Dilip Sharma stated that they are currently providing only emergency services and expressed hope for a swift resolution to the issue.
Earlier, health workers across the country had shown their dissatisfaction with the court verdicts by wearing black bands on their wrists while on duty. The protest follows the Court’s rulings that ordered Grande Hospital and its doctors to pay Rs 5.7 million in compensation for alleged medical negligence. Similarly, Himal Hospital and its doctors were ordered to pay Rs 14.5 million, and Om Hospital was fined Rs 5.7 million.
NMA General Secretary Dr. Sanjeev Tiwari emphasized that the medical profession is a highly sensitive and science-based service, which should not be evaluated in the same way as other professions. He stated that such matters should be handled by the Nepal Medical Council.
The NMA has urged the Court, the Ministry of Health and Population, and other relevant authorities to review the recent verdicts. It also calls for creating a safe and supportive environment for health professionals to practice with confidence. The NMA also warned of further protests if its demands are not addressed.