KATHMANDU, JULY 29 Following a five-point agreement with the government on Wednesday, protesting doctors across the country suspended all agitated programmes and agreed to resume regular medical services. The agreement was signed at the Ministry of Health and Food Safety following discussions between officials from the Health, Law, Home, and Industry ministries, as well as representatives from the Nepal Medical Association (NMA). The signatories include Health Secretary Bikas Devkota, Law Secretary Parashwar Dhungana, Industry Secretary Narayan Prasad Sharma Duwadi, and NMA President Dr Badri Rijal. According to the terms of the agreement, the government will vigorously enforce the Safety of Healthcare Workers and Health Institutions Act (2009). To ensure that the law is actively enforced, officials will quickly draft implementation directives, improve inter-ministerial coordination, and take decisive legal action against anyone involved in vandalism or attacks on medical personnel. Furthermore, the government and the Nepal Medical Association will form a joint task force to develop a facility security plan and conduct regular progress reviews to ensure healthcare environments remain safe. The nationwide protest was sparked by recent acts of violence and harassment against healthcare workers, particularly an attack on Dr Pramod Ram, a medical officer at Narayani Hospital. Dr Ram was assaulted by a mob of 40 to 50 people on his way to a dispute-resolution meeting following the death of a cardiac patient under his care. He was accused of medical negligence and targeted despite having followed standard medical procedures. 'I did everything I could to help the patient, but he died,' Dr Ram explained. 'A large mob attacked me on the way to the meeting. I sustained head injuries, but laws should be made so strict that anyone considering assaulting a healthcare worker thinks twice before doing so.' Dr Ram is currently being treated at the National Trauma Centre, and hospital officials say his condition is steadily improving. Following the signing of the accord, regular healthcare operations across the country have resumed.