Doctors halt medical services from today

Doctors have halted all medical services, except emergency services, from today till December 29 demanding enforcement of the Medical Protection Act and severe punishment to those involved in manhandling medical professionals and vandalism.

Tuesday's meeting of the Nepal Medical Association, along with representatives of government hospitals and directors of private hospitals announced the three day strike from today.

Dr. Kiran Shrestha, general secretary of NMA said, "The attacks on medical professionals and vandalism is increasing everyday and we cannot work in such an environment."

The out patient department of Kanti Children's Hospital, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Bir Hospital and Prasuti Griha (Maternity Home) remained closed on Tuesday as part of the protest programme against the manhandling of the doctors and vandalism at Kanti Hospital on December 25.

One person died at the Bir Hospital due to lack of treatment. Following the incident, relatives of the deceased and doctors engaged in shuffle.

Similarly a team of over a dozen doctors beat up a student from Ratna Rajya School for treatment to Bir Hospital. According to Kantipur daily, he was beaten up while talking to Kantipur Television about the denial of treatment to the student. nepalnews.com pb Dec 27 06