Doctors' association decide to stop health services across the country on Sunday

KATHMANDU, Feb. 11: The Nepal Medical Association has said that serious attention has been drawn from the incident of a lathi charge by the police on health workers during the ride of President Bidya Devi Bhandari. The association issued a press release today saying that on February 10th, the senior orthopedic surgeon of the National Trauma Center, Dr. Janithlal Singh, was charged with a baton by the police and injured during the President's ride.

In the statement signed by Association President Dr. Lochan Karki and General Secretary Dr. Badri Rijal, it is said: "The Nepal Medical Association has drawn serious attention to the incident in which the police injured Dr. Janithlal Singh, a senior orthopedic surgeon of the National Trauma Center and other doctors and health workers on 27th Magh 2079(10th February 2023)."

In opposition to that, the association has also decided to stop all other services except emergency services in government and non-government hospitals across the country on February 12. It is said in the statement: "It has been decided to close all services other than emergency services in all health institutions and hospitals including government and non-government, private, cooperative health institutions, hospitals, private and government medical colleges, institutions and hospitals across the country on Sunday, 29th of Magh, 2079. It is informed through this press release."

The association expressed its shock that doctors and health workers working in sensitive areas like health services were attacked and seriously injured by the police in the name of VVIP security, and thousands of patients who were coming to the hospital were not allowed to reach the hospital.

In a democratic republic established for the people, the association has said that it is not fair to create an extremely uncomfortable situation in daily life by jamming the traffic for hours by making arrangements for unnatural security in the name of a ride. The association has also strongly demanded the government and concerned agencies stop sufferings and unspeakable acts forever in the Republic of Nepal under various excuses.

During President Bhandari's ride on Friday, the police charged Dr. Singh and other health workers with batons in front of Bir Hospital. Dr. Singh, who was injured during the baton charge, is currently undergoing treatment in the hospital.