Ministry to suspend Manipal's renewal operation license

KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health has decided to suspend the renewal of a operation license of Pokhara-based Teaching Hospital after it had denied emergency healthcare facilities to the Kagbeni jeep accident victims recently.

A meeting held under the chair of Health Minister Gagan Kumar Thapa on Sunday decided to request the Ministry of Education for an action regarding the operation license granted to the hospital.

It is noted that the government on April 23 had formed a three-member committee to establish the truth surrounding media reports that those who were injured in Kagbeni road accident in Mustang district on April 9 were denied treatment by doctors when they were brought to the emergency ward.

The hospital doctors had reportedly refused to see the injured people, citing their agitation.

The committee headed by Dr. Bholaram Shrestha found both the hospital administration and doctors were guilty in the case and recommended action against them.

As per article 35.1 of the Nepal's Constitution no citizen shall be deprived of emergency medical facilities.

The Ministry reached to a conclusion that such move was in the violation of country's main law and the hospital administration and doctors deserved action, according to Health Minister's legal advisor Raju Katuwal.

The Ministry has instructed Nepal Medical Council (NMC) to proceed with action against the hospital director and doctors within the next 15 days as per Nepal Medical Council Act 2020 BS and Rule 2024 BS.

The hospital was also instructed to conduct the task of taking action against the doctors and staff on duty and on agitation that day as per its statute within the next 15 days and inform it to the Ministry , the Ministry said.

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