INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 17Nepal Medical Association withdrew its protest after it signed
a six-point deal with the government.
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NMA, which halted all medical
services except emergency services across the country today, signed the deal with the government after it held talks with the government
talks team led by Health Secretary Bikas Devkota.NMA had announced protest programme after two doctors - Bikas Thapa and Prashant Bidari -
employed by Sancho Hospital in Hetauda, were recently beaten by some people while on duty.
The government has agreed to
prosecute all accused under Security of Health Workers and Health Organisations Act, 2009.Police have arrested four people in the Hetauda
assault case and have issued arrest warrants against five more people.Both sides also agreed to activate Health professionals and health
organisations security coordination committee and to ensure that this committee will hold meetings every month
Both sides also agreed to launch awareness programmes for implementation of the Health Workers and Health Organisations Act, 2009
The government side agreed to bring a new Medical Service Bill to ensure health professionals' adequate pay and perks, mobilisation of human
resources and capacity enhancement to prevent brain drain in the health sector.Earlier today, the National Human Rights Commission had
issued a press release calling on the government to book those who beat the two doctors in Hetauda
The rights body also urged the government to ensure the right to health.The NHRC said its serious attention was drawn to the Nepal Medical
Association's decision to halt services except emergency services at hospitals across the country.Stating that halting of medical services
adversely impacts people's right to health, the NHRC urged the government to take action against those who beat the two doctors, to ensure
security of health professionals and to create condition for resuming health services without any disturbances.A version of this article
appears in the print on September 18, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://thehimalayantimes.com