First-year postgraduate resident doctors at National Medical College in Birgunj have contacted the Medical Education Commission after being asked to vacate the hospital and hostel.
The doctors traveled to Sanothimi, Bhaktapur, to express their concerns, stating they lack a suitable academic environment for studying at the college.
Resident doctor Bibek Bhattarai mentioned that 52 doctors are involved in the issue, with about 40 currently in Sanothimi.
They report facing threats and intimidation, including warnings about failing academic requirements or difficulties with thesis approval.
The doctors were admitted to take the Medical Education Commission’s examination and expected an environment conducive to their postgraduate studies.
The situation escalated when National Medical College ordered first-year PG resident doctors to leave the institution.
The college suspended classes, clinical postings, departmental training, and other academic activities until further notice and instructed the doctors to vacate their hostel and other facilities within 12 hours.
The college has also formally requested the Institute of Medicine (IOM) at Tribhuvan University to recall the first-year PG resident doctors.
This dispute has involved not just the college administration and resident doctors but also the Institute of Medicine, which has urged the college to resolve the matter through dialogue and maintain a positive teaching and learning environment.
Resident doctors have raised concerns about their academic and working conditions, including issues related to hostel and mess facilities, attendance, stipends, duty hours, and other administrative decisions.
They are seeking attention from various authorities, including the Ministry of Health and Population, Ministry of Education, Medical Education Commission, and the Institute of Medicine.
The issue has also reached Parliament, where Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Rahbar Ansari highlighted the ongoing protest at National Medical College during a House of Representatives meeting.
He noted that postgraduate students have been protesting for about 10 days and called on the government to address the situation.
The resident doctors are now looking for intervention from the Medical Education Commission to ensure they have a stable environment for their postgraduate medical education.