CHITWAN, July 17: After three days of strike, hospitals in Chitwan district have resumed services after the local administration assured that the Nepal Health Service Act would be strictly implemented.
Citing security reasons, doctors and health workers in the district had called for an indefinite strike and halted all medical services except for emergency since Sunday. [break]
The health service Act prescribes stringent action for attack on health professionals. As per the Act, persons involved in attack on health professionals may be fined anything between Rs 5000 to 20,000. Similarly, those involved in vandalism in hospital may be fined up to Rs 300,000 or sentenced to a year in jail.
“We decided to resume services after the local administration assured us of safety,” said Bhola Prasad Rauniyar, chairman of District Medical Association, Chitwan. The local administration had received direct orders from the home ministry to implement the Act and ensure the safety of health professionals.
Meanwhile, Chief District Officer Himnath Dawadi said the administration would take swift action against those involved in attack on health professionals. “We will take strict action against people involved in such activities,” he said.
Meanwhile, the District Medical Association has also warned of protests if the administration fails to implement the Act effectively.
Of late, health professionals have been made the target of attacks on allegations of negligence in the treatment of patients.