Jul 07, Kathmandu - Patients have been left in a state of distress as the Nepal Medical Association has suspended non-emergency services in hospitals across the country.

Patients and their relatives who arrived at the hospital in the morning for health check-ups have been stranded after not receiving OPD tickets.

Patients at hospitals including the oldest Bir Hospital in Nepal are seen in a state of confusion. They are forced to return after reading the notice posted by the Nepal Medical Association stating that the OPD ticket counter has been closed.

The Nepal Medical Association has today announced that it has stopped all non-emergency services in hospitals across the country, saying that the recent verdict of the Consumer Court in a case related to medical practice has interfered with the jurisdiction of the Nepal Medical Council.

A few weeks ago, the consumer court ruled in favor of the patient's relatives in the case of negligence in treatment. The Consumer Court had ruled that Om Hospital should pay Rs 5.7 million, Himal Hospital and the doctors involved in the treatment Rs 1.45 million, and Grande City Hospital and the doctors working there Rs 5.7 million in compensation to the patient's family. The Nepal Medical Association is protesting, saying that this interferes with the jurisdiction of the Medical Council.

The association, which had earlier called on doctors and healthcare workers across the country to wear black armbands to provide services since Asad 17, has today suspended all non-emergency services.

Although a strike is not allowed in sensitive areas like hospitals, patients are being deprived of essential healthcare services due to non-compliance.