Hospitals across Nepal have suspended non-emergency services today, April 25, as doctors join a nationwide protest. The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) called for the strike to support resident doctors in private colleges demanding fair stipends. This action affects thousands of patients who rely on routine checkups and scheduled care. The protest seeks to address the growing gap in pay between government and private institutions.
Widespread Impact on Healthcare Services
Doctors across the country are only offering emergency and intensive care services today. All other medical services, including outpatient departments (OPD), elective surgeries, and routine consultations, have been halted. Hospitals are urging patients to reschedule non-urgent visits.
The NMA, the umbrella body for doctors in Nepal, made the decision to join the resident doctors’ movement after their repeated calls for fair pay went unheard. This protest is not the first of its kind, but it is among the most far-reaching in terms of disruption.
Root of the Protest: Unequal Stipends
Resident doctors studying MD/MS in private medical colleges currently receive only Rs20,000 per month. In contrast, their counterparts in government medical colleges are paid Rs48,737. This amount is equal to the salary of a gazetted officer. Despite an official decision made by the Medical Education Commission to standardize stipends, private colleges have failed to comply.
Health Minister’s Response
Health Minister Pradip Paudel met with protest leaders on Thursday. He voiced support for their demands and promised government action. He stated that private colleges would lose benefits from the Ministry of Health and Population unless they agree to equal pay.
Dr. Anil Bikram Karki, president of the NMA, said, “Minister Paudel reiterated the government’s commitment to enforcing the Medical Education Commission’s decision. But what resident doctors need is not just words, they need action.”
Protests at Maitighar Mandala
On Thursday, doctors and students gathered at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu. They held placards, shouted slogans, and later cordoned off local administration offices. This protest follows a similar boycott in February, which briefly pushed the issue into the spotlight.
Private Colleges Push Back
Leaders of private medical colleges claim they are unable to increase stipends without raising tuition fees. Dr. Gyanendra Man Shingh Karki, president of the Association of Private Medical and Dental Colleges, stated, “We already give 33 percent of the fee we collect as stipend. If we increase the stipend to match government levels, we must also raise fees.”
A student in a private MD/MS program pays about Rs2.3 million over three years. According to Karki, if stipends rise, private colleges would only earn around Rs16,000 from each student during that time.
Resident Doctors: The First Line of Care
Resident doctors are often the first to treat patients, especially in emergency and high-pressure settings. These young professionals work long hours, often more than 10 hours a day. Many feel the current system is exploitative.
Dr. Shesh Raj Ghimire, coordinator of the Safe Workplace Struggle Committee, said, “Labour exploitation in private medical colleges must end. We want implementation of the decision made by the Medical Education Commission.”
When asked about the disruption to public healthcare, Dr. Ghimire added, “This is a decision by the Nepal Medical Association, and as a member, I am bound to follow it.”
Future at Stake
The Medical Education Commission allocated 1,103 postgraduate seats in Nepal for the current academic year. Of these, around 400 are in government colleges, including Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, and the National Academy of Medical Sciences.
The remaining 700 seats are in private colleges. Unless the stipend issue is resolved, future enrollments could decline. Students may be discouraged from applying, fearing unfair treatment and financial burden.
A Call for Urgent Reform
The strike has sent a clear message: doctors across Nepal stand united for fair pay. Patients may suffer today, but the long-term goal is a more just and equal medical education system. The government and private colleges must now work together to find a solution.
