National
Govt docs to boycott outpatient services
As the indefinite fast of Dr Govinda KC entered the 18th day on Thursday with no clear breakthrough in addressing his demands, government doctors have decided to boycott all hospital services except emergency care across the country.As the indefinite fast of Dr Govinda KC entered the 18th day on Thursday with no clear breakthrough in addressing his demands, government doctors have decided to boycott all hospital services except emergency care across the country.
The Government Doctors’ Association of Nepal, umbrella organisation of doctors working in state-run health facilities, decided to halt all the services to build pressure on the government to address Dr KC’s demands.
GODAN President Dr Dipendra Pandey said in a statement on Thursday that the association has accused the government of lacking seriousness in the talks held so far.
Dr Pandey said an emergency meeting of GODAN decided to boycott the services “though we will attend emergency patients and those who are already admitted,” said Dr Pandey. “We have also asked government doctors to refrain from private practices during the protest.” The decision will impact patients across the country.
NMA issues 24-hour ultimatum
The Nepal Medical Association on Thursday issued a 24-hour ultimatum to correct decisions on the Health Profession Education Bill.
Issuing a statement, the NMA said the taskforce formed to study the HPE Bill has made “controversial” decisions of granting affiliations to some medical colleges before enforcing a ten-year moratorium on opening new medical schools in the Kathmandu valley.
The NMA has warned of stern protests “if the government fails to act in the next 24 hours to save Dr Govinda KC’s life”. (PR)