KATHMANDU, July 17: Health services are considered essential and cannot be terminated for any reason. Anesthesia and surgery, in particular, are among the most sensitive healthcare services. However, on July 12 and July 15, anesthetist doctors at the National Academy of Medical Sciences halted their services, resulting in the cancellation of surgeries for 32 patients. This disruption caused significant suffering for the affected patients. "The patients are frustrated after not receiving services as scheduled. They may have to wait again to get their turn," said a hospital employee.
According to the incident report, the hospital's anesthetists left work without notice on Monday and staged a sit-in at the director's office. Director Dr Santosh Paudel inquired about the reason for the strike. The anesthetists responded that they were demanding a special allowance. Services were suspended on Monday without any written or verbal notification. As a result, surgeries for patients who had been waiting for months were halted.
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The hospital administration has requested an explanation from the anesthetists regarding their actions. Additionally, the administration has held discussions with the Department of Anesthesia following the issuance of the clarification letter. During these discussions, the Department of Anesthesia demanded the reinstatement of the special allowance that was discontinued prior to 2076 BS. The allowance was stopped after the then government decided to discontinue specific allowances apart from additional service allowances.
"The then government decided not to give specific allowances," said Director Dr Santosh Paudel. "However, at Bir Hospital, a 50 percent salary allowance is provided for extra service and hardship service. The Department of Anesthesia is demanding this allowance," Paudel added.
Determining that the health service was suddenly stopped without notice or valid reason, the hospital administration has sent an explanation letter to the head of the Anesthesia Department, Dr Rabiram Shrestha. The letter states that the doctors of the department are engaged in illegal activities under Article 62 of the Constitution of Nepal and the Health Service Act, 2053 BS. The administration has requested an explanation within a day, stating that actions have been taken against the law.
According to hospital administrator Mohan Koirala, the Department of Anesthesia has not yet responded to the clarification letter. Director Dr Santosh Poudel stated that halting a highly sensitive service like surgery is an irresponsible action. He explained that, based on the government’s decision, the hospital's income sources, and the budget situation, it is not feasible to provide specific allowances. "Such allowances can only be given if regulated by policy, rules, and the situation. They cannot be provided otherwise," he said.
Among the patients who did not receive services on Monday, one underwent surgery on Tuesday. Director Dr Paudel informed Republica that the remaining patients are scheduled to undergo surgery in turn. Bir Hospital performs 40 minor surgeries daily.
