Private Medical Colleges Warn Protesting Resident Doctors Will Be Barred from Exams

Nepal Health News, Kathmandu – Private medical colleges have started issuing threats to bar protesting resident doctors from attending their exams.

The resident doctors have been protesting for the past 14 days, demanding the government-mandated subsistence allowance. In response, several private medical colleges have warned that they are not obligated to allow protesting doctors to appear in exams.

Institutions like KIST Medical College and Nepal Medical College, among other private colleges, have issued such warnings. The colleges argue that because resident doctors have been absent from their assigned duties for the past two weeks, it has seriously affected critical healthcare services, which are extremely sensitive by nature.

The notice issued by the colleges states:

“Due to the irresponsible conduct seen in the residency program—including participation in academic activities such as coursework and meals—attendance, logbooks, exams, postings, and thesis work have been affected. As a result, the institution will not be obligated to include such residents in the exams conducted by the Institute of Medical Education. Action will be taken as per the rules, and all concerned are hereby informed.”

The notice further holds the resident doctors personally responsible for any academic losses and disruptions resulting from such irresponsible behavior during the residency period.

Despite the government’s decision two months ago to provide a monthly subsistence allowance of NPR 48,500 (equivalent to the eighth level pay grade for government resident doctors), the decision has yet to be implemented, leading to the renewed protests.

The 16th meeting of the Medical Education Commission had ruled that private medical colleges must also provide this allowance to resident doctors. However, private colleges have rejected the decision outright.