KATHMANDU: The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has announced a nationwide suspension of all non-emergency health services at government, public and private hospitals on Tuesday in protest against an alleged assault on doctors and health workers in Birgunj.
In a statement issued on Monday evening, the NMA said the protest was prompted by a violent attack on medical personnel at Narayani Hospital and the alleged mistreatment of its representatives at the District Administration Office in Parsa.
The Association said that on Saturday, Dr. Pramod Ram and other doctors and health workers at Narayani Hospital were assaulted, leaving some with serious head injuries.
It further alleged that while seeking legal action against those involved in the attack and vandalism at the hospital, members of the Association were verbally abused during talks at the District Administration Office in the presence of the Chief District Officer. The NMA also accused the Parsa police chief of deploying police personnel to intimidate and mistreat its representatives, including a central executive committee member and the president of its Narayani branch.
The NMA has demanded legal action against those responsible for the attack on healthcare workers and the vandalism at the hospital.
Apologizing for the inconvenience caused to patients, the Association said the government would bear full responsibility for the disruption in services.
Comment