Opinion | End attacks against health workers, keep health services running
Summary
Dr Pramod Ram was assaulted by relatives of a deceased patient at Narayani Hospital, prompting a nationwide strike that disrupted essential health services. While the Nepal Medical Association protested the attack, suspending health services is illegal and harms patients the most. The article calls for strengthened security, legal action against attackers, and uninterrupted healthcare delivery.
Key Points
- Dr Pramod Ram was assaulted by relatives of a patient who died in Narayani Hospital's emergency ward, leading to mass resignation and suspension of services.
- The Nepal Medical Association halted all non-emergency health services nationwide in protest, depriving hundreds of thousands of patients of care.
- Suspension of health services violates the Health Service Act and Public Health Service Act, which mandate uninterrupted healthcare.
- Urgent need for government to ensure security for health workers and hold attackers accountable while maintaining uninterrupted health services.
