KATHMANDU, April 3: Residential doctors at private medical colleges across Nepal have started an indefinite strike from Thursday, demanding a higher living stipend. The doctors, pursuing postgraduate (PG) studies, have voiced dissatisfaction over not receiving the eighth-level living allowance as per regulations.
This strike follows a 24-hour ultimatum issued earlier by the Safe Workplace for Health Workers Committee, which demanded the disbursement of the promised allowance. However, when the stipend was not provided within the given timeframe, the committee announced that residential doctors pursuing MD, MS, and MDS courses at 17 private medical colleges would refrain from all services, except emergency care, until their demands are met.
Residential doctors return to work following agreement
Dr Sheshraj Ghimire, the chairperson of the committee, stated that the strike was a result of the medical education commission’s decision, which had not been implemented. According to him, residential doctors were left with no choice but to stop work after they were denied the promised allowance.
Around 2,500 doctors, including first, second, and third-year residents, have joined the strike, gathering in protest at their respective hospital premises.
The Medical Education Commission had previously decided to provide a living allowance of Rs 48,737 to the residential doctors. Following this decision, Kathmandu University directed its affiliated medical colleges to ensure the allowance was paid. However, private medical college operators have refused to increase the stipend, maintaining their stance.
In response, the Medical Education Commission has cut the number of postgraduate seats at 17 private colleges for the current year as a measure to address the issue.
