February 2, Kathmandu
On Monday, resident doctors boycotted OPD services, demanding that resident doctors in private colleges receive stipends equal to those in government institutions. The nationwide boycott took place from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, with resident doctors staging protests, holding placards and banners.
The Safe Workplace Struggle Committee for Health Workers, representing the protesting resident doctors, has stated that they will continue their protest at Maitighar Mandala.
Previously, the resident doctors conducted a pen-down strike.
The committee has been demanding that the minimum stipend for interns and doctors pursuing MD, MS, MDS, DM, and MCH programs in private institutions be equal to that of their counterparts in government institutions.
This protest follows the decision by the Ministry of Health and Population and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology to implement a legal provision offering resident doctors in private medical colleges stipends of Rs 25,000 in the first year, Rs 30,000 in the second year, and Rs 35,000 in the third year. Resident doctors argue that the proposed stipend is insufficient.
“Resident doctors in private colleges must receive at least the same stipend as those in government institutions. There will be no compromise on this matter,” said Dr. Sheshraj Ghimire, coordinator of the Safe Workplace Struggle Committee for Health Workers. “The protest will continue unless our demands are addressed.”
