KATHMANDU, April 11: The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has said hospitals cannot provide OPD services on Sundays due to a shortage of manpower.
Issuing a statement, the NMA said the Ministry of Health and Population’s request to run OPD services on Sundays is not feasible without additional staff. It argued that doctors and health workers are already overburdened with round-the-clock duties, including on-call, rounds and emergency services.
Hundreds affected by residents' OPD boycott
The NMA also expressed concern over the lack of proper implementation of leave provisions and warned that increasing workload could affect the quality of healthcare services.
Stating that the two-day weekend decision was made to reduce fuel consumption, the NMA termed the plan to extend hospital services as impractical. It urged the government to withdraw the decision and make a more appropriate arrangement.
The NMA further warned of protests if healthcare workers continue to be overburdened without adequate facilities.
