Residential doctors to protest against ministerial agreement on allowances

Kathmandu, January 29 — Residential doctors pursuing postgraduate studies are set to stage a protest at Maitighar Mandala in opposition to an agreement reached between two ministers regarding allowances.

Health and Population Minister Pradeep Paudel and Education, Science, and Technology Minister Bidya Bhattarai had made a three-point decision concerning the allowances to be provided to the doctors.

In response, residential doctors began their protest yesterday. Dr. Sanjay Baral, spokesperson for the 'Safe Workplace Struggle Committee for Health Workers', confirmed that a sit-in would take place at Maitighar Mandala at noon today.

The doctors have expressed dissatisfaction, claiming that the decision represents extreme labor exploitation. They stated that they had resorted to decisive protests in response.

On Monday, January 27, the education and health ministers had finalized the three-point decision and instructed the concerned authorities to implement it.

According to the agreement, residential doctors will receive a monthly allowance of at least 25,000 rupees in their first year, 30,000 in their second year, and 35,000 in their third year. These rates are applicable to residential doctors studying at private medical colleges.

The residential doctors are dissatisfied with the minimum allowance set by the two ministers and have taken to protesting. They have warned that if their long-standing demands are not addressed within 24 hours, they will halt all non-essential services in hospitals.