Why did doctors choose to go from scrubs to streets?

Kathmandu – Today as well (July 8), Medical services throughout Nepal—except for emergency care—continue to be suspended. The nationwide strike by the doctors began on Monday and will continue indefinitely until their demands are met as informed by the Nepal Medical Association (NMA). The doctors staged sit-ins to demonstrate their protest on Monday, which is continued as a rally at Maitighar today.
As per the press statement released by NMA, the rallies are being demonstrated for the government to address their long-standing concerns related to legal protections and workplace safety for medical professionals.
The NMA stated that despite repeated calls, the government has failed to address critical issues, including:
- Misinterpretation and misuse of the Consumer Protection Act, 2075, to hold doctors criminally liable for complications arising from treatment.
- Inclusion of psychological trauma and emotional distress experienced by patients or their families as legal grounds to sue doctors under consumer laws.
- The lack of proper implementation of the Health Worker Safety Act and prior agreements made following the 2074 Chitwan incident.
The association argued that such legal vulnerabilities not only expose doctors to unfair penalties but also create a fearful and stressful working environment. This, they claim, could lead to increased treatment costs for patients due to heightened defensive practices.
In addition, the NMA emphasized that even though previous court rulings and laws have provisions for distinguishing between professional complications and negligence, recent interpretations have blurred those lines. This has led to unjustified court cases and financial penalties against doctors acting in good faith.
The association is also urging all doctors who have not yet collected their certificates from the former Nepal Medical Council to do so by tomorrow evening.
NMA General Secretary Dr. Sanjeeb Tiwari called on the government to respond seriously and responsibly to the association’s demands. He warned that if meaningful steps are not taken soon, the protest movement could escalate further.