Dhangadi, February 22

Nepal Medical Association of Province 7 has demanded security for doctors, citing the recent thrashing on their colleague in Doti.

The association held a press conference in Dhangadi, Kailali,  today to voice their concern about doctors’ safety and security. “As frequent attacks on health workers have dented doctors’ morale, it is not safe for us to work until our security is guaranteed,” said NMA Secretary Dr Pradip Mishra. “As the abusers are hardly ever punished, this has encouraged such incidents,” he said, seeking stern action against those involved in abusing a doctor in Doti.

NMA provincial Chair Dr Pramod Joshi rued the deteriorating work environment for health workers amidst increased incidents of violence against them. “There must be a mechanism to ensure security for doctors,” he said, adding doctors could not return without a security guarantee.

On Sunday, kin of a female patient had manhandled Dr Jitendra Singh, accusing him of misbehaving with her. Dr Singh’s tooth was broken in the incident. Thus, Dr Singh, and his colleagues Dr Bibash Parajuli and Dr Raj Kumar Bishwokarma reached Dhangadi yesterday, citing hostile work environment in Doti.

District Police Office, Doti, has filed a public offence case against 4 persons involved in the thrashing and has launched an investigation. “We’ve detained Hikmat Singh Bista, Bijaya Bista, Tek Bahadur Bista and Arun Mahat of Dipayal Silgadi Municipality in connection with the incident,” said DSP Shiva Bahadur Singh. Meanwhile, services in District Public Health Office, Doti, have been hit after the doctors left the district.