Attack on doctors: NMA threatens to halt health services across the country

KATHMANDU: Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has threatened to halt all but emergency services at hospitals across the country if individuals attacking two doctors at Sancho Hospital in Hetauda on Wednesday aren’t brought to book within 72 hours.

“The morale of healthcare workers across the country has come down as the government hasn’t initiated any action against the assailants,” NMA said, issuing a statement on Thursday.

An unidentified gang attacked Dr Bikas Thapa and Dr Prashant Bidari at Sancho Hospital in Hetauda on Wednesday. “The two doctors had referred a dengue patient to a well-equipped hospital a month ago. The patient passed away during treatment. The doctors, however, were assaulted a month later. Anyone involved in such an inhumane act should face legal consequences,” the association said in its statement.

NMA also handed over a memorandum to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to draw the attention of the government toward the attack on healthcare workers.

Receiving a memorandum from the association, Dahal stated that anyone attacking doctors would be held accountable under the existing laws. NMA Vice President Prakash Budhathoki stated that the Prime Minister assured them that those assaulting healthcare workers won’t get immunity.

A delegation of the NMA, led by its President Dr. Anil Bikram Karki, met with Prime Minister Dahal to submit their memorandum. The delegation has called for action against those responsible for the attack in accordance with the Safety and Security of Health Workers and Health Institutions Act.