The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the Nepal Medical Association to withdraw its decision to halt services at all hospitals across the country, except for emergency care, on Sunday.

Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, joint spokesperson of the ministry, in a statement, requested all the doctors and health workers to join the regular work by cancelling the planned protest.

Expressing sadness over the police assault on a doctor, the ministry said efforts are being made to resolve the issues raised by the association through dialogues.

An emergency meeting of the central executive committee of the association held on Saturday decided to halt the services both in government and private hospitals.

The association, the umbrella body of medical and dental doctors, further said it is seriously concerned over the incident.

On Friday, police assaulted Dr Janith Singh, a senior orthopaedic surgeon of the National Trauma Centre, for walking during President Bidya Devi Bhandari’s convoy on its way back to Sheetal Niwas.

Dr Singh was assaulted by on-duty police personnel while he was heading to the hospital to join his duty. He has sustained head injuries and is currently kept under observation in the Intensive Care Unit.

Police personnel also attacked other medical officers who had blocked the traffic for half an hour protesting against the attack.

The incident has sparked public outrage. A group of activists including doctors protested at Maitighar in the Capital on Saturday demanding action against the perpetrators.

Nepal Police has suspended Shambhu Jung Gurung, a senior head constable of Metropolitan Police Circle, accused of baton-charging the doctor.