KATHMANDU: The doctors affiliated with Nepal Medical Association (NMA) today announced their protest against the drain of doctors from Nepal to Western industrilized nations.

In the protest, which begins tomorrow on a nationwide scale, the NMA -- the flaship organisation of doctors in Nepal -- will draw the attention of the government towards the large exodus of medical and trained technical personnel from Nepal.

Tying black bands around their wrists as a symbolic protest, the doctors will protest, said Dr Kedar Narsing KC, president of NMA.

The move follows deadlock in a talk earlier between NMA and Ministry of Health and Population. The NMA had drawn the attention of the government towards what they described as 'brain-drain' of doctors and trained technicians from Nepal.

Talking to The Himalayan Times, KC threatened to launch a stronger protest programme if their demands were not addressed in Tuesday's meeting.

KC said some 4,000 doctors have already left the country to settle abroad.

" We are urging the government to provide some incentives to doctors as soon as possible to contain the dangerous trend," he said.

There are around 940 doctors serving at government hospital nationwide where 3,000 doctors are affiliated with NMA.

NMA has been demanding with the government for providing them professional security and increasing the posting of health personals as per the need of present time.

NMA has also demanded for the amendment of the health service act as per the demand of time.

The physicians have said that the government should allocate more budget for the health sector and waive five percent service charge levied on private hospitals and clinics.

KC, meanwhile, urged the government for the implementation of the Health Professional Protection Act, more effectively.