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Health care industry

Nepal Medical Association's Protest Halts Healthcare Services Amid Disagreement Over Consumer Court Jurisdiction

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has halted all healthcare services across the country, except for emergency care, in protest of a recent decision by the Consumer Court. The protest has caused immense suffering for thousands of patients. The NMA is demanding that medical disputes be handled solely under the jurisdiction of the Nepal Medical Council (NMC), not by the Consumer Court. This move comes after a recent court verdict ordered Grande Hospital and its doctors to pay Rs 5.7 million in compensation for alleged medical negligence, and Himal Hospital and its doctors were ordered to pay Rs 14.5 million.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has halted all healthcare services across the country, except for emergency care, in protest of a recent decision by the Consumer Court.
  • The NMA is demanding that medical disputes be handled solely under the jurisdiction of the Nepal Medical Council (NMC), not by the Consumer Court.
  • The NMA argues that medical disputes should be dealt with by the NMC, citing the sensitive and science-based nature of the medical profession.
  • The Consumer Court's jurisdiction in medical cases is a relatively new practice in Nepal, and the NMC is contesting its authority.
  • Medical malpractice cases are also tried in consumer courts in other countries, including India, the UK, the US, Australia, and Brazil.
  • The NMA's protest has caused immense suffering for thousands of patients and has sparked a debate over the jurisdiction of the Consumer Court.
  • The government has been called upon to facilitate dialogue between the NMA and the NMC to find a mutually acceptable solution.

Statistics:

  • The Consumer Court ordered Grande Hospital and its doctors to pay Rs 5.7 million in compensation for alleged medical negligence.
  • Himal Hospital and its doctors were ordered to pay Rs 14.5 million in compensation for alleged medical negligence.
  • The Consumer Court has ordered one hospital to pay Rs 5.7 million in fines.
  • Medical services have been halted for thousands of patients across the country.
  • Emergency care services are still available.

Sources:

  • Nepal Medical Association
  • Republica
  • Consumer Court of Nepal
  • Nepal Medical Council
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • India
  • UK
  • US
  • Australia
  • Brazil
  • HT Digital Content Services

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