MoHP in a circular issued on Friday by Ministry's Joint Secretary Madhu Sudan Burlakoti has asked health professionals to work regularly and not to stay on leave without permission during monsoon citing health institutions being overcrowded with patients with communicable and waterborne diseases and disaster victims in this season.

Ministry's move comes at a time when health professionals including doctors have taken to the streets demanding that demands put forth by Dr Govinda KC, who is on a hunger strike in Jumla, be met.

The statement also warns of action against those violating the directive.

NMA to halt medical service except emergency

Meanwhile, Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has announced to halt all medical services except emergency in support of Dr KC's demands.

The NMA also held separate meetings with various political party leaders like Co-Chair of Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, leader Prakash Man Singh, Naya Shakti Nepal coordinator Baburam Bhattarai, and coordinators of Bibeksheel Sajha Party Rabindra Mishra and Ujjwal Thapa, and appealed to them to save Dr KC's life.