Doctors and health workers protesting the assault on a physician and vandalism at Narayani Hospital in Birgunj on Saturday continued their demonstrations on Monday, demanding strict legal action against those responsible and stronger security measures to ensure a safe working environment in hospitals.

The protest has affected hospital services across Birgunj, with Narayani Hospital suspending all services, including emergency care, since Sunday. Private hospitals in the city have also reported disruptions after doctors joined the protest at the call of the Nepal Medical Association.

Medical staff at Narayani Hospital, who have suspended all services, including emergency care, since Sunday, gathered at Ghantaghar Chowk on Monday, chanting slogans and staging a protest. They called on the government to end violence against healthcare workers, guarantee the safety of medical professionals and prosecute those involved in the attack.

Narayani Hospital, which is usually crowded with patients, wore a deserted look on Monday, with its emergency department remaining largely empty. Similar disruptions were reported at private hospitals across Birgunj.

Meanwhile, Narayani Hospital's acting medical superintendent, Dr Chittaranjan Sah, issued a statement on Monday urging the Parsa District Police Office to identify everyone involved in the attack and take legal action against them.

The statement said those responsible should be identified through CCTV footage recorded on the day of the incident and prosecuted in accordance with the law. It added that doctors and health workers had been left physically and psychologically traumatised by the attack, forcing the suspension of all treatment services, including emergency care.

Police detained one suspect on Sunday in connection with the incident, but have not disclosed the person's identity. Dr Pramod Ram, the Narayani Hospital physician who was seriously injured in the assault, has been transferred to Kathmandu for further treatment.

Hospital spokesperson Dr Uday Narayan Singh said chief district officer Bhola Dahal had invited representatives of the protesting doctors for talks, which were expected to take place later on Monday.

Singh said the doctors were prepared to resume emergency services while keeping other services suspended if the chief district officer provided a credible assurance that everyone involved in the attack would be identified and brought to justice.

The violence erupted on Saturday morning after 45-year-old Raj Kumar Patel of Birgunj Metropolitan City-25 was brought to Narayani Hospital's emergency department in critical condition with chest-related complications. After Patel died during treatment, enraged relatives and residents stormed the emergency ward, vandalised hospital property, and brutally assaulted Dr Pramod Ram, who was on duty.

The attack prompted doctors and other health workers to launch an indefinite protest.