NMA rules out possibility to run OPD on Sunday

Kathmandu, April 11: The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has said that its attention has been drawn to the directive of the Ministry of Health and Population to operate Outpatient Department (OPD) services on Sunday, the second day of the two-day weekend implemented by the government effective from April 6.

The NMA has demanded that the government review its decision, stating that OPD services cannot be operated on Sundays due to a shortage of sufficient workforce and the increased workload on the available staff.

The NMA further stated that doctors and health professionals provide round-the-clock services through on-call, ward rounds, and emergency duties in addition to their regular 9–5 schedule. “It is not justifiable that such contributions have not been recognized.”

It has made clear that the government’s decision cannot be implemented until the required workforce management is ensured.

Earlier, the Ministry had called for regularizing OPD services on Sundays by implementing the provision of a ‘compensatory leave’.

Meanwhile, various hospitals and institutions have issued different notices regarding service operations.

Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Centre, and Karnali Academy of Health Sciences, among others, have decided to completely shut down outpatient (OPD) services on Sundays, except for emergency services.

On the other hand, Rapti Academy of Health Sciences, Bir Hospital, National Trauma Center, and Bharatpur Hospital have announced that they will continue providing services on Sundays.

The NMA has concluded that when different health institutions provide weekly holidays on different days, there is a lack of uniformity in hospital closures, which creates confusion for patients seeking healthcare services and seriously affects the delivery of health services.

It has warned that if the practice of forcing healthcare workers to provide services while offering very minimal benefits is not ended, doctors and healthcare workers will be obliged to launch protests.