Resident doctors' protest at National Medical College: doctors' association writes to PM

The Nepal Medical Doctors' Association has drawn the attention of Prime Minister and Chairman of the Medical Education Commission Balen Shah to the protest by resident doctors at National Medical College and Teaching Hospital in Birgunj.

The letter, signed by association chairman Dr. Badri Rijal and general secretary Dr. Bishwa Raj Dawadi, was sent to the prime minister on Monday.

The letter states that first-year MD and MS resident doctors were not granted leave even on public holidays and were not given the subsistence allowance equivalent to the government's eighth level.

According to the association, the doctors took to protest after being subjected to mental pressure and being marked absent without cause and then punished.

The association objected, saying an attempt was being made to dismiss the doctors in violation of prevailing law and the Labor Act.

According to Nagarik Dainik, the dispute escalated after the college removed around 53 doctors.

The association has urged that if the college does not meet the demands, the commission should immediately proceed with action and create a fear-free academic environment. The college administration, however, has put forward its own claims on the matter.