End attacks against health workers, keep health services running

Attacks on doctors must be dealt with firmly, but suspending essential health services only punishes patients.

On Saturday, Dr Pramod Ram, a doctor at Narayani Hospital in Birgunj, was assaulted by relatives of a 45-year-old patient who died while undergoing treatment in the hospital’s emergency ward. The attackers also vandalised hospital property and threatened other health workers. The incident prompted the hospital to suspend services, with all staff resigning en masse in protest.