Kathmandu – Protesting a recent decision by the Consumer Court related to medical practice, the Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has suspended all non-emergency medical services across hospitals and health institutions nationwide starting today.
Earlier, the NMA had called on all doctors and healthcare workers to wear black armbands from Asar 17 (June 30) to express dissent. With no resolution in sight, the protest has now escalated into a nationwide service shutdown, sparing only emergency departments.
The strike has caused significant hardship for patients, especially those who traveled long distances for treatment. At Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj, the impact of the protest was clearly visible, as the Outpatient Department (OPD) remained closed.
Many patients had arrived expecting same-day consultations or to collect test reports. With services halted, they now face challenges in finding food and accommodation, and uncertainty grows as no timeline has been announced for when the protest will end.
The disruption has led to confusion and distress among patients, highlighting the broader implications of the ongoing standoff between medical professionals and the judicial decision-making process.
