KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 28
Hundreds of medical doctors took to the street at Maitighar Mandala before staging a sitin at Bijulibazar of Kathmandu today for the third day in a row against the recent attacks on health workers in different hospitals across the country.
The series of protests is largely concerned with the recent incidents where doctors and medical workers were threatened and even beaten by people in power or the patients' kin, accusing them of negligence.
Following these incidents, doctors from various medical institutions like Patan Hospital, Bir Hospital and Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital have joined the protest. During their protest, they shouted slogans seeking security and condemning the attacks. They also shouted slogans demanding the resignation of Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha for failing to secure their lives. Many were seen holding placards that read, 'The current scenario is forcing us to leave the country.'
The agitating doctors have sought implementation of the Security of Health Workers and Health Organisations (First Amendment) Act, 2022, which has criminalised any kind of manhandling of doctors.
A series of protests have escalated following an incident at Pokhara-based Nepal Manipal Hospital where doctors were beaten by some people after a 57-year-old patient died while undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Relatives of the deceased, Sukamaya Dura, had assaulted medical staff and doctors accusing them of showing carelessness while providing treatment. Similarly, a local ward chair at Lamjung had also beaten another doctor at Lamjung District Hospital accusing the doctor with similar charges.
Doctors and hospitals have identified a few people involved in the beating as police were asked to arrest the accused.
However, doctors have cast doubts that any action will be taken against them.
Earlier on September 13, relatives of a patient had also beaten two doctors at Hetauda-based Sancho Hospital in a similar accident.
Later, on September 17, Nepal Medical Association had halted all the services except emergency, at all the hospitals across the country. Although the ban has been lifted, doctors have continued to stage protest demanding that their safety be ensured.
Meanwhile, the National Human Right Commission has sought attention of the government to ensure the safety of doctors and medical institutions.
The watchdog has also asked the government to ensure the health rights of all after agitating doctors obstructed health care services.
Earlier, Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha had vowed to bring the culprits to book and asked the doctors to stop their protest. However, doctors are in no mood to stop their protest anytime soon.
A version of this article appears in the print on September 29, 2023, of The Himalayan Times
