Agitating doctors across the country have called off their protest following a three-point agreement reached between the government and the Nepal Medical Association (NMA).
The two sides reached the agreement following a meeting attended by Health and Population Minister Pradeep Yadav, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya, Industry, Commerce and Supplies Minister Damodar Bhandari, and representatives from the Ministry of Health and Population and the Nepal Medical Council, the umbrella organization of medical doctors.
The doctors had launched protests after the Consumer Court imposed hefty penalties, including financial compensation, on some doctors and hospitals found guilty of gross negligence that resulted in serious complications or death of patients. Since Monday, healthcare professionals had shut down all services—except emergency—in both public and private healthcare facilities, severely affecting patients nationwide.
As per the agreement, a task force will be formed to recommend necessary amendments to the existing laws and policies. The task force is expected to submit its report within seven days. The second point of the agreement states that the report will be submitted to the dialogue team and implemented accordingly.
The third point mentions that the concerned ministry will seek in-principle approval from the Council of Ministers within 11 days to amend the relevant laws, including the Consumer Protection Act, 2075 BS. The government has also committed to pursue legal amendments through a fast-track process.
Following the agreement, the NMA announced it would suspend all forms of protest and resume regular healthcare services with immediate effect. -- RSS
