Non-Emergency Services Halted Nationwide Following Nepal Medical Association's Call

Doctors across Nepal have halted all hospital and health services except for emergency care today, following a protest call by the Nepal Medical Association (NMA).

The protest comes after consumer courts started ordering compensation from doctors and hospitals accused of medical negligence. In response, the association began a phase-wise protest, saying that such legal actions are unfair and demoralizing to medical professionals.

For the past week, doctors and health workers had been wearing black armbands while continuing their duties. But today, they took a stronger step by stopping all non-emergency services.

The NMA has demanded that only the Nepal Medical Council should have the authority to handle medical-related cases. It also warned that the protest could intensify if their concerns are not addressed.

Patients across the country have been affected, with many struggling to access treatment.