KATHMANDU: The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has announced that all non-emergency services at hospitals and health institutions across the country will be halted on Monday.

The decision follows the association’s dissatisfaction over issues related to the Consumer Court, prompting it to unveil a series of protest programs.

The announcement was made following an emergency meeting of the association’s executive committee held on Friday, which was convened after discussions on Thursday (July 3) with hospital directors, medical and dental colleges, and representatives from various doctors’ and health workers’ organizations.

According to NMA General Secretary Dr. Sanjeev Tiwari, the meeting concluded that the current situation is demoralizing for medical professionals and is creating an unsafe environment for them.

As part of the protest, all doctors will stage a one-hour sit-in at their respective workplaces on Sunday.

Additionally, the association has requested all branch offices to collect doctors’ signatures along with copies of their Nepal Medical Council certificates and submit them to the central office by Monday.

The association has also announced that all collected certificates will be submitted to the Nepal Medical Council on Tuesday.