Allowance Dispute in Private Medical Colleges: Resident Doctors' Protest Reaches Day 13

Nepal Health News, Kathmandu :The demands of resident doctors who have been protesting for the past 13 days remain unaddressed. Resident doctors studying in private medical colleges have been staging protests demanding that they receive subsistence allowances equivalent to those received by government resident doctors (eighth level).

The protest was initiated following a call by the Struggle Committee for a Safe Working Environment for Healthcare Workers, and involves resident doctors from various medical colleges across Nepal who are advocating for their rights and benefits.

The 16th meeting of the Medical Education Commission had instructed private medical colleges to provide resident doctors with subsistence allowances equal to that of government resident doctors (eighth level). However, as private medical colleges have failed to implement the directive, resident doctors across the country have taken to the streets, according to Dr. Sanjay Baral, spokesperson for the committee.

He stated, “As per the directive of the Commission, private medical colleges were required to pay at least the minimum monthly remuneration equivalent to government standards by the end of Chaitra 7, 2081 [March–April 2025]. But despite repeated verbal and written requests, payments have not been made, leaving us with no option but to protest.”

Dr. Baral also confirmed that the doctors will not return to work until their demands are addressed. “We have been compelled to protest for the past 13 days, yet the government has taken no initiative to resolve our concerns,” he said.

Government resident doctors currently receive a subsistence allowance of NPR 48,500 per month, equivalent to the eighth level. However, private medical colleges have refused to provide the same, stating they are unable to match the government allowance. The committee deems it unfortunate that private colleges have disregarded the Commission’s full-board decision to either match government pay standards or halt new enrollments.

These Are the Demands of Resident Doctors:

• Revise the matching process for MD, MS, and MDS programs, and ensure all resident doctors receive remuneration equivalent to government standards (eighth level). Seats published before the entrance exams by the Commission must also be included under this scheme.

• Take action against non-compliant private medical colleges, including revoking their affiliations for MBBS, BDS, MD, MS, MDS, DM, and MCh programs, and canceling government grants and insurance-related programs.

The Nepal Medical Association has also demanded that the 18th meeting of the Commission be held by Saturday to decide on implementing the committee’s demands. The Association has warned that if the issue is not resolved within 72 hours, they will be forced to call for a phased nationwide protest involving all doctors.