Health Ministry directs health professionals to stay away from protest

Kathmandu, July 13: Ministry of Health and Population has directed health professionals not to involve in any forms of protest.

The Ministry asked them to work regularly and not to stay on leave without permission during monsoon because health institutions are overcrowded with patients with communicable and waterborne diseases in this season, said a directive statement issued Friday by the Ministry’s Joint Secretary Madhu Sudan Burlakoti.

The Ministry’s directive comes at a time when health professionals including doctors have taken to the streets demanding that demands put forth by Dr Gobinda KC, who is on a hunger strike in Jumla be met. Dr KC demands reforms in the medical sector.

The statement also warns of action against those violating the directive.

NMA to halt medical service except emergency
Meanwhile, Nepal Medical Association has announced to halt all medical service except emergency in support of Dr KC’s demands.

The NMA also held separate meetings with various political party leaders like Chairperson of Communist Party of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, leader Prakash Man Singh, Naya Shakti Nepal coordinator Dr Baburam Bhattarai and coordinators of Bibeksheel Sajha Party Rabindra Mishra and Ujjwal Thapa, and appealed to them to save Dr KC’s life. RSS