Kathmandu, January 16

KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital in Lalitpur resumed its services today. The hospital had remained closed for the past 33 days due to the protest of its employees.

Employees returned to work after Patan High Court issued an interim order to open the hospital.

“We returned to work following the court order, but we have not ended our protest,” said Umesh Bartaula, former president of Nepal Health workers and Employees Union, adding that they expected the hospital administration to fulfil their 15-point demand, which includes salary hike.

“The court has also ordered the hospital to address our demands through talks. So we are trying to hold talks with the hospital administration by forming a committee,” he said, adding that they would be compelled to launch stringent protests if their demands weren’t met.

The hospital has resumed all health services and started running classes for MBBS and BDS second year. The hospital administration said MBBS and BDS third year examinations will also be conducted soon.  The college administration had filed a writ petition at Patan High Court after failing to reach an agreement with the agitating employees.