Doctors return to work after NMA signs five-point agreement with govt

KATHMANDU: Doctors across the country have withdrawn their protests and returned to their work following the signing of a five-point agreement between the government and the Nepal Medical Association (NMA) on Wednesday.

The NMA had launched protests on Tuesday and Wednesday by shutting down OPD and other services at health institutions across the country, demanding action against those responsible for assaulting and mistreating doctors and healthcare workers.

The agreement was reached after discussions among the representatives of the NMA and the Ministry of Health and Food Safety, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.

According to the agreement, the government has committed to effectively implementing the Health Workers and Health Institutions Security Act, 2009. It has beena greed that the government will formulate necessary guidelines as per the Act to ensure the safety of healthcare workers.

The two sides have also agreed that the ministries concerned will take the lead in initiating legal action in cases of vandalism at health institutions and attacks on healthcare workers.

The agreement further states that a work plan will be developed to ensure the security of health institutions. A joint task force will be formed under the leadership of the NMA to implement the plan and regularly review progress, reads the agreement.

Additionally, the Ministry of Health and Food Safety will, within seven days, form a task force with the participation of the NMA to recommend necessary amendments to health-related provisions in the Consumer Protection Act, 2018. The amendments will be carried out based on the task force’s report.