KATHMANDU: Doctors and health workers across Nepal are wearing black armbands today in protest against a recent verdict by the Consumer Court, which ordered hospitals and doctors to pay hefty compensation for alleged medical negligence.
The protest is being led by the Nepal Medical Association (NMA), which has stated that all doctors and healthcare professionals will continue providing services with black armbands for 72 hours as part of their initial phase of protest.
“This is just the beginning,” said Dr. Sanjiv Tiwari, General Secretary of the NMA. “All doctors and healthcare workers across the country are united in expressing concern over the verdict that unfairly targets the medical community.”
The NMA is particularly objecting to the interpretation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2018, which allows cases of medical negligence to be tried in the Consumer Court.
The association argues that such matters should fall under the jurisdiction of the Nepal Medical Council, the official regulatory body for medical ethics and misconduct.
The protests were sparked by a recent Consumer Court decision ordering Om Hospital to pay Rs 5.07 million, Himalaya Hospital and involved doctors to pay Rs 14.5 million, and Grande City Hospital and its medical staff to pay Rs 5.7 million in compensation to patients’ families for alleged negligence.
The NMA has announced the formation of a task force, led by Dr. Tiwari, to lobby for amendments to the Consumer Protection Act, arguing that legal action against doctors should be handled within the framework of medical regulation, not consumer law.
“The Nepal Medical Council is the responsible body to investigate complaints against doctors,” said Dr. Tiwari. “Allowing other courts to intervene sets a dangerous precedent and threatens the entire healthcare system.”
The NMA has hinted at further protests if their concerns are not addressed by the government.
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