KATHMANDU, Aug. 5: The government and protesting nurses have reached a 19-point agreement, bringing an end to nurse activist Jyoti Ranabhat's hunger strike over demands for professional security and improved working conditions.
The agreement was signed late Tuesday following talks between government officials and representatives of the nurses. Ranabhat had launched an indefinite hunger strike on July 30, saying the government had failed to implement commitments made after last year's protests.
Following the agreement, Ranabhat ended her fast by drinking juice.
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One of the key provisions requires the Ministry of Health and Food Safety to form a task force within seven days to review salaries and service benefits for nurses, midwives and other health workers employed at government, private and community hospitals, as well as medical colleges and teaching institutions. The task force is expected to complete its work within six months.
The agreement also commits the government to amend the Nepal Government Scholarship Recipient Doctors and Health Workers Directive, 2015, within 30 days. The revision will ensure that nurses and midwives who studied on government scholarships are assigned positions, responsibilities and benefits that match their qualifications and expertise while also expanding leadership opportunities.
In addition, the Ministry of Health will request the Ministry of Education and Sports within two days to instruct the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) to continue entrance examinations for certificate-level nursing and midwifery programmes from the next academic session. The government has also pledged to ensure scholarship opportunities for auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) pursuing certificate-level nursing and midwifery studies.
The agreement further requires hospitals to implement mandatory nursing care plans, documentation, patient safety measures, infection control, medication management and regular nursing and midwifery audits. Specialised hospitals will also be required to publish audit reports through their information systems.
The Ministry of Health has also agreed to issue a circular within seven days directing all health institutions to strictly implement and audit respectful maternity care in line with the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Act, 2018.
The agreement also includes commitments to strengthen nursing and midwifery education, research, continuing professional development, leadership training, evidence-based practice and quality improvement by incorporating these priorities into the government's annual plans and budget.
