KATHMANDU: Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has scheduled its next round of talks with the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) for Sunday, following the failure of the first round of talks held on Friday.

NMA had threatened to launch a strong protest if their demands were not addressed before Tihar. Talking to The Himalayan Times, Dr Kedar Narsingh KC, president of NMA, said they were confident that the MoHP would address their demands in the next round of talks.

Among other things, NMA has demanded that the government provide them professional security and post more health personnel to meet the scarcity of health personnel.

"The present health policy is unable to attract doctors and health workers," said KC, demanding for the amendment of the health service act as per the changing times.

KC said the government should increase the budget allocation for the health sector.

NMA has also demanded that the five percent service charge to private hospitals and clinics be waived and that the government immediately implement the Health Professional Protection Act.