KATHMANDU: Medical doctors, paramedics and administrative staff of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) began their ‘non-cooperation protests’ today, denying emergency treatment to thousands of patients visiting the hospital and flouting the Essential Services Act. The Act prohibits strikes and protests in 16 crucial service areas regarded as sensitive and essential to the general people, including the hospitals.

As a six-member panel

appointed by the Tribhuvan University last week tries to put the pieces together, the

office of the Vice Chancellor says it is waiting for the

report of the investigating team led by the Dean of the

Institute of Management Govinda Aryal.

And, the talks between the hospital management and the joint struggle committee ended inconclusively today, indicating that mostly those who cannot pay for expensive medical bills in the capital’s private hospitals will continue to be deprived of affordable medical services at the hospital.

The talking sides however said they would meet again at 11.30 tomorrow morning.

Around 1,000 employees are involved in the protests. They have been demanding cancellation of entrance examination for Post Graduation studies, resignation of the Dean of the Institute of Medicine Dr Arun Sayami who has been accused of taking bribe worth Rs 12 million from students, a fair probe into his role in leaking out question papers and a re-examination at the earliest possible.

Dr Sayami said today’s first phase meeting was fruitful.

Dr Deebya Raj Mishra, spokesperson of the joint struggle committee, accused the ‘authority concerned’ of showing apathy towards their demands.

“There was no one to

pay heed to our demands,”

Dr Mishra said.

According to him, the ‘non-cooperation protest’ is intended to step up pressure to meet their demands.