Resident doctors stage pen-down protest demanding equal pay

Kathmandu, January 31 — Resident doctors on protest have staged a pen-down strike today as part of their ongoing demonstration.

Demanding equal pay with government employees, the protesting doctors observed a one-hour pen-down strike from 9 to 10 AM today. They also staged a demonstration in their respective institutions wearing aprons.

The protest is being led by the "Safe Workplace for Health Workers Struggle Committee." The doctors have also been protesting at Maitighar Mandala.

According to committee spokesperson Dr. Sanjay Baral, another protest will be held at Maitighar Mandala today at 1 PM.

The committee is demanding that the minimum salary for intern, MD, MS, MDS, DM, and MCH resident doctors be raised to the level of government employees. They are also calling for all postgraduate programs to be made completely tuition-free and bond-free. 

They have warned of boycotting all services, except for essential services, if their demands continue to be ignored.

Recently, the Ministers of Health and Population and Education, Science, and Technology made a three-point decision, which includes a monthly allowance of 25,000 for first-year resident doctors, 30,000 for second-year, and 35,000 for third-year.

However, the resident doctors have expressed opposition to this decision.