KATHMANDU: Doctors and healthcare workers across Nepal, led by the Nepal Medical Association (NMA), have halted all medical services except emergency and intensive care, escalating their protest against provisions in the Consumer Protection Act, 2018.
The NMA announced the strike on Monday, and healthcare institutions, both government and private, including clinics, have joined in solidarity.
The association has demanded amendments to the Act, specifically objecting to the inclusion of healthcare services under the same legal framework as other consumer services.
In a press statement, the NMA said the government had failed to respond meaningfully to their concerns, prompting them to intensify their agitation. The protest follows recent rulings by the Consumer Court ordering hospitals to pay compensation in cases of alleged medical negligence.
NMA General Secretary Dr. Sanjeev Tiwari argued that Clause 2 of the Act unfairly categorizes medical services alongside general consumer services. He said medical practice is already regulated by the Nepal Medical Council, which should be the sole authority to assess medical conduct.
The NMA warned that applying consumer laws to medical services would lead doctors to recommend unnecessary tests as a defensive measure, create psychological strain among practitioners, increase patient referrals, and ultimately raise healthcare costs significantly.
As part of today’s protest, the NMA has called on doctors and healthcare workers in the Kathmandu Valley to gather at Maitighar Mandala, while those outside the capital are to hold demonstrations at designated local sites.
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