Government Doctors’ Association of Nepal (GODAN) has halted OPD services except emergency care in all government hospitals across the country from Friday to put pressure on the government to address Dr Govinda KC’s demands.

Alarmed by the deteriorating health condition Dr Govinda KC, whose indefinite hunger strike has entered 19th day today, the umbrella organisation of doctors working in state-run health facilities came together in support of Dr KC. They resorted to the move after the government showed lackadaisical approach in addressing Dr KC's demands.

An emergency meeting of GODAN held on Thursday decided to launch the strike saying that no clear breakthrough has been achieved in the talks held so far concerning the agitating doctor's demands.

GODAN President Dr Dipendra Pandey said in a statement, yesterday, that an emergency meeting of GODAN decided to boycott the services “though we will attend emergency patients and those who are already admitted.”

“We have also asked government doctors to refrain from private practices during the protest,” read the statement adding that the government has to take the responsibility of the impact of protest on patients across the country.

Meanwhile, Nepal Medical Association (NMC) on Thursday issued a 24-hour ultimatum to correct decisions on the Health Profession Education Bill saying that the taskforce formed to study the HPE Bill has made “controversial” decisions of granting affiliations to some medical colleges before enforcing a ten-year moratorium on opening new medical schools in the Kathmandu valley.

The NMA has warned of stern protests “if the government fails to act by today to save Dr KC’s life”.