Protect doctors, protect patients

The five-point agreement reached between the government and the Nepal Medical Association (NMA) on Wednesday evening is a welcome development. It ends the nationwide protest by doctors and, more importantly, provides an opportunity to address the deeper problem that triggered the confrontation: the growing insecurity faced by doctors and other health workers. Under the agreement, the government has committed to effectively implementing the Health Worker and Health Institution Security Act, 2009, including promptly formulating implementation guidelines. It has also pledged stronger legal action against attacks on health workers and vandalism at health facilities, better coordination among concerned ministries, and the preparation of a security action plan for health institutions. A joint task force involving the government and NMA will oversee implementation and regularly review progress. These commitments must now translate into action. The agreement should not become another document that generates headlines when signed but is forgotten once the immediate crisis has passed. The protest followed an assault on a doctor at Narayani Hospital in Birgunj, allegedly by relatives of a patient who died while undergoing treatment. What particularly angered the medical community was not only the reported assault but also the alleged failure of the local administration and police to respond adequately. Doctors have also alleged that they were mistreated during discussions with authorities following the incident. If substantiated, such conduct would represent a serious failure of the state to protect health workers.