KATHMANDU, Feb 5: The agitating postgraduate interns and resident doctors across Nepal have begun boycotting non-emergency services today in response to their four main demands.
The demands include: the revocation of a recommendation on subsistence allowances made by the health and education sectors, equalizing the minimum wage for postgraduate interns and resident doctors with government salaries, making postgraduate education entirely free without bond requirements, and implementing a scientific approach for duty and leave arrangements.
Resident doctors to boycott outpatient services from Friday
The Safe Workplace Struggle Committee for Health Workers, which has been protesting since January 28, has issued a warning against any retaliatory actions for supporting the protest. The issue gained momentum following a meeting between the Ministers of Health and Education, where a recommendation for subsistence allowances for postgraduate students in private medical colleges was discussed.
The proposed allowances range from Rs 25,000 in the first year to Rs 35,000 in the third year. In addition, the proposed scholarship guidelines require free study in exchange for a two-year service commitment to the educational institution.
