Bir Hospital Anesthesiologists Suspend Services over Allowance DisputeBir Hospital Anesthesiologists Suspend Services over Allowance Dispute In a major disruption to healthcare services, anesthesiologists at the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) suspended their services on July 12 and 15, leading to the cancellation of surgeries for 32 patients. The hospital administration and affected patients were left frustrated by the sudden suspension of services without any prior notice. The anesthesiologists claimed they were protesting the discontinuation of a special allowance that had been discontinued by the government in 2076 BS. The hospital board held discussions with the Anesthesia department and explained the government’s decision to discontinue specific allowances. However, the department demanded the reintroduction of the allowance, citing additional service and hardships. The hospital’s director, Dr. Santosh Poudel, emphasized that the discontinuation of surgery services was irresponsible and could not be justified, given the essential nature of healthcare. He noted that the hospital’s budgetary situation and income sources make it infeasible to provide specific allowances. The hospital administration has sent an explanatory letter to the head of the Anesthesia department, seeking an explanation for the illegal disruption of services. According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Nepal and the Health Service Act, 2053 BS, such actions are prohibited. Of the affected patients, one underwent surgery on Tuesday, and the remaining are scheduled for surgery in turn. Bir Hospital typically performs 40 minor surgeries daily, highlighting the significant impact of the suspension of services. The dispute between the Anesthesia department and the hospital administration remains unresolved, and it is unclear when regular surgical services will resume.
KATHMANDU, July 17: Healthcare is considered essential and cannot be discontinued for any reason. Anesthesia and surgery in particular are among the most sensitive healthcare services. However, on July 12 and 15, anesthesiologists from the National Academy of Medical Sciences suspended their services, resulting in the cancellation of surgeries for 32 patients. This disruption caused considerable distress to the affected patients. “Patients are frustrated as they have not received services as per schedule. They may have to wait again for their turn,” a hospital official said.
According to the incident report, the hospital’s anaesthetists walked off duty without any notice on Monday and staged a sit-in outside the director’s office. The director, Dr Santosh Paudel, inquired about the reason for the strike. The anaesthetists replied that they were demanding special allowance. The services were suspended on Monday without any written or verbal notice. As a result, surgeries for patients who had been waiting for months were stopped.
The hospital board asked the anesthetists for an explanation of their actions. In addition, the board held discussions with the Anesthesia department after the issuance of the clarification letter. During these discussions, the Anesthesia department demanded the reintroduction of the special allowance that had been discontinued before 2076 BS. The allowance was discontinued after the then government had decided to discontinue specific allowances apart from additional service allowances.
“The then government decided not to give any specific allowance,” said Director Dr Santosh Paudel. “However, at Bir Hospital, a salary allowance of 50 per cent is given for extra service and hardships. The Anaesthesia department demands this allowance,” Paudel added.
Noting that the provision of health services was stopped suddenly without any warning or valid reason, the hospital administration has sent an explanatory letter to the head of the Department of Anesthesia, Dr. Rabiram Shrestha. The letter states that the doctors of the department are involved in illegal activities under Article 62 of the Constitution of Nepal and the Health Service Act, 2053 BS. The administration has sought an explanation within a day, stating that actions have been taken that are contrary to the law.
According to hospital administrator Mohan Koirala, the department of anaesthesia has not yet responded to the clarification letter. Director Dr Santosh Poudel said that discontinuing a highly sensitive service like surgery is an irresponsible move. He explained that based on the government’s decision, the hospital’s sources of income and the budgetary situation, it is not feasible to provide specific allowances. “Such allowances can be provided only if they are governed by policies, rules and the situation. They cannot be provided in any other way,” he said.
Of the patients who did not receive services on Monday, one underwent surgery on Tuesday. Director Dr. Paudel informed Republica that the remaining patients will undergo surgery in turn. Bir Hospital performs 40 minor surgeries daily.
