Medical services brought to halt nationwide; PM Bhattarai starts discussions to end doctors' strike

Protesting doctors have brought all the services except emergency service to a halt in the hospitals across the nation on Saturday.

Nepal Doctors Association had decided to halt the medical services nationwide on Saturday and Sunday as the health condition of Dr Govinda KC, who is on hunger strike at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) further deteriorated on Friday.

Hospitals in Kathmandu and major towns of the country have closed down OPD services due to the strike.

It is estimated that halt of the medical services for a day affects some 0.4 million patients throughout the nation.

Doctors Association had announced the strike accusing the government of turning a deaf ear to their 'genuine' demands.

The TUTH doctors including Dr KC have been demanding that TUTH Dean should be appointed on the basis of seniority and eligibility. Dr KC had started fast-unto- death on Monday.

Recently, TU Vice Chancellor Hira Bahadur Maharjan had appointed Dr Dharmakanta Baskota as acting Dean going against the decision of the TU executive council meeting that had decided to form a panel to recommend names for the post.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has started discussions with concerned stakeholders regarding TUTH doctors' demand. He held meeting with senior doctors and the officials of Health Ministry at Baluwatar this morning in an attempt to end the strike. nepalnews.com