Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has decided to shut down all the medical services except emergency in all the hospitals across the nation from September 2.

In a statement issued on Friday, NMA said that it has decided to stage a symbolic protest on September 2 after the government showed reluctance to amend the Criminal Code-2074 within the 15-day ultimatum issued earlier.

The NMA had demanded the government amend the Criminal Code-2074 that came into effect since August 17, expressing serious exception to the code’s provision for criminal prosecution of doctors in case of a patient's death during the course of treatment.

The NMA has decided to stage demonstrations at Maitighar Mandala among others places at 12 pm on September 2.

Similarly, the umbrella body of the doctors of the country has decided to stage phase-wise protests from September 3.

According to the statement, the NMA has decided to halt administrative works in all the health institutions across the country on September 3 and not allow the hospitals to admit patients from September 4.

Likewise, it has decided to shut down all the services except emergency from September 5 and decided to close all the medical services including OPD except emergency from September 5.

Earlier on August 14, the Nepal Medical Association (NMA) had taken a serious exception to the Criminal Code-2074, saying the law is against the agreement reached between the government and the umbrella body of Nepali doctors.They had also warned of halting their services and handing over medical licence to the council if the government did not amend the code.