KATHMANDU, APRIL 18
The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has called for immediate enforcement of legal provisions governing doctors' working hours and service conditions, welcoming a recent notice issued by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security.
In a statement, the association said the ministry's notice reiterates key provisions of the Labour Act, 2074, including mandatory employment contracts, limits on daily and weekly working hours, and restrictions on overtime. It noted that doctors and health workers have frequently been required to work beyond these legal limits, leading to grievances across the sector.
The NMA urged the Ministry of Health and Population, the Medical Education Commission, and all government and private health institutions to implement the provisions without delay.
The association's response comes in the context of a recent directive issued by the Health Ministry requiring hospitals to maintain uninterrupted services, including 24-hour emergency care, during the newly introduced two-day weekend.
Under the directive, hospitals have been instructed to ensure round-the-clock patient care on Saturdays and Sundays, reschedule non-urgent procedures if necessary, and keep emergency and inpatient services fully operational. The decision follows a Cabinet move to implement a two-day public holiday, prompting concerns over increased workload and duty hours for health workers.
The NMA said effective implementation of labour provisions is essential to balance uninterrupted healthcare delivery with the rights and well-being of medical professionals.
