KATHMANDU: The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has suspended all non-emergency services at hospitals and health institutions across the country on Tuesday in protest against an attack on doctors and healthcare workers at Narayani Hospital in Birgunj, as well as the alleged mistreatment of medical professionals by police during talks at the Parsa District Administration Office.

In a statement issued on Monday, the association announced that all services except emergency care would remain suspended nationwide on July 28.

The protest follows a violent incident on July 25, when Dr. Pramod Ram and other doctors and healthcare workers at Narayani Hospital were allegedly assaulted and hospital property vandalized. Dr. Ram sustained serious head injuries and is currently undergoing treatment.

The NMA also alleged that during discussions at the Parsa District Administration Office seeking legal action against those responsible for the attack, police personnel, in the presence of the Chief District Officer, verbally abused and mistreated several doctors, including a central executive committee member of the association and the president of its Narayani branch.

Condemning the incidents, the association demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in the assault and vandalism and called for action under the Health Workers and Health Institutions Security Act, 2009 (First Amendment, 2022).

It also demanded disciplinary action against the Parsa Chief District Officer and the district police chief over the alleged humiliation and mistreatment of doctors.

In the statement, signed by NMA President Dr. Badri Rizal and General Secretary Dr. Bishwaraj Dawadi, the association apologized for the inconvenience caused to patients by the protest but said the responsibility for the disruption lies with the Government of Nepal.