BIRGUNJ: Doctors on Saturday shut most of the health facilities in Birgunj protesting the arrests of some doctors by police on suspicion of using fake academic credentials to obtain medical degrees or professional licences.

Nearly one dozen health facilities did not provide any service except the emergency ones today upon the call of Nepal Medical Association.

Private clinics and pharmacies were also shut across the border city today.

Dr Pramod Sarraf, Vice-President of NMA Birgunj Committee, said the doctors resorted to the strike demanding release of their colleagues.

A meeting of the NMA Parsa district committee, held earlier this morning, decided to submit a memorandum to the government through Parsa Chief District Officer demanding the release, on Sunday.

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The doctors have warned of shutting the emergency wards as well if the detainees were not released within 24 hours of submission of the memorandum.

Patients and their kin who had reached the facilities for treatment were forced to return empty-handed.