Difficult to run OPD service on Sunday: NMA

Kathmandu, April 12: Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has drawn attention of the Ministry of Health and Population that the out-patient department (OPD) services could not be run on Sunday. 

NMA urged the Ministry to reconsider its decision to run OPD service on Sunday as well while the government has imposed 2-day leave in a week. 

The Ministry, however, had issued a directive to all health institutions to not discontinue medical services irrespective of two-day holidays in a week. The Ministry urged the hospitals to manage the workload and ensure OPD on Sunday as well. 

In response to the Ministry directive, the doctors' association, NMA, said it would be difficult to run OPD service on Sunday due to shortage of workforce. 

It is injustice for the doctors to count their duty hours/time at a time when they were providing service round the clock including on call, round, and emergency in addition to 9 to 5 duty. The Ministry's directive could not be enforced until the management of adequate workforce, it added.

Meanwhile, the hospitals have issued different notices on enforcement of two-day leave. TU Teaching Hospital, Manmohan Cardio Thoracic Vascular and Transplant Centre and Karnali Academy of Health Sciences have decided to fully close down OPD service on Sunday. 

On the other hand, Rapti Academy of Health Science, Bir Hospital, National Trauma Centre and Bharatpur Hospital said they would run service on Sunday as well. Such varying leave for doctors and health workers creates sheer confusion to the patients, NMA said, underscoring reconsideration of the decision.(RSS)