Doctors end strike
Doctors around the country, who were in protest mode for three days against the incidents at Kathmandu’s Everest Nursing Home and Lumbini Zonal Hospital (LZH) in Butwal, ended their strike from Sunday.
The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) had had been observing the strike said the strike has called off the strike in view of the problems it could cause to patients while the government has also assured of to take proper steps to curb vandalism in hospitals and attacks on doctors at work.
The doctors around the country announced three-day strikes from Thursday, suspending all works except the emergency services, to protest the vandalism and manhandling of a doctor of LZH in Butwal on May 23 and a similar incident at Everest Nursing Home, Naya Baneshwor, the following day. The incidents took place after the death of two patients – one each in LZH and Everest – due to ‘carelessness’ on the part of doctors.
“We had no plans for indefinite strike. The strike has been ended because it could cause problems to the patients, which we do not want. We have drawn attention of the government, the House of Representatives and the local administrations so that such attacks do not happen in future,” NMA treasurer Dr Arjun Prasad Lamichhani told Nepalnews. He added that the government has expressed commitment to stem activities against medical professionals and health institutions.
He further said, “There was also a risk that some elements with hidden agendas could take advantage of our strike. The role of the NWA during the people’s movement is there for all to see.”
However, wrongdoings on the part of doctors and medical institutions, if any, should be dealt with properly, Dr Lamichhane added. nepalnews.com mk May 28 06
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