Doctors Plan Protests at Maitighar and Across Nepal Over Salary Dispute

The Nepal Medical Association has told doctors outside Kathmandu to protest at their local District Administration Offices, and doctors inside the Kathmandu Valley to gather at Maitighar and surround the Ministry of Health.

This decision was made after a discussion between the Association’s extended committee and the residential doctors.

At a press conference on Wednesday, executive member Tetchu Malla said, “We request all doctors working in private medical colleges to stop all services except emergency ones and join the protest.”

He added, “We ask all doctors across the country to protest at their district offices from 10 AM to 12 PM tomorrow, and doctors in Kathmandu to gather at Maitighar and surround the Ministry of Health.”

The Association has also warned that if their demands are not fulfilled within 24 hours, they will stop all services except emergency care.

The Medical Education Commission had directed in its 16th meeting on Magh 25 (Feb 8) that residential doctors should be paid as per the government’s 8th level salary scale. However, private medical colleges have not followed this order.

There are also accusations against these colleges for trying to increase MBBS and BDS seats and fees for profit.

Even though residential doctors have been protesting for 28 days, the government has shown little interest, said Malla.

The Association believes that this situation has come up because the Medical Education Commission’s decisions have not been implemented and the matching process between private and government institutions hasn’t happened as planned.

Since private colleges have not given the allowance set by the Commission, doctors have been protesting on the streets for 28 days. Residential doctors say college management has been threatening and scaring them.

Dr. Biplav Lamichhane from Chitwan Medical College said the college is putting pressure on residential doctors.

“They call us personally to scare us, remove us from classes, and threaten to stop our registration or kick us out,” said Lamichhane. “Some friends were even called to the main gate and officially threatened.”

He added, “This protest is not for personal gain, but for the future, rights, and dignity of all residential doctors.”