Minister directs private colleges to enforce resident doctors’ stipend

KATHMANDU: Health and Population Minister Pradeep Poudel has directed private medical colleges to immediately implement the decision of the Medical Education Commission to provide resident doctors with salaries equivalent to the government’s eighth-level scale.

Speaking during a dialogue held at the Ministry on Thursday with representatives of the Nepal Medical Association and resident doctors, Minister Poudel issued the directive, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.

On Magh 25, the Medical Education Commission had decided to provide resident doctors studying at private medical colleges with a monthly allowance equivalent to the government eighth-level salary—set at Rs 48,700.

However, private institutions have not enforced the decision, prompting protests from resident doctors across the country.

Minister Poudel warned that the government will withhold all facilities provided to private medical colleges until they comply with the commission’s directive.

He also appealed to doctors to end their protests and contribute to strengthening the nation’s healthcare system.

Expressing the government’s commitment to addressing the issues in the medical sector, Poudel assured that efforts are underway to resolve the grievances of the medical professionals.

During the discussion, Dr. Anil Karki, President of the Nepal Medical Association, urged the government to issue a circular limiting the working hours of resident doctors to a maximum of 72 hours per week, as per global standards.

He criticized the practice of overworking doctors while underpaying them, with some colleges allegedly providing only Rs 19,500—well below the approved minimum wage.

Dr. Karki stressed that medical college operators who refuse to abide by the Cabinet-approved stipend should not continue to hold their positions on ethical grounds.

Resident doctors have warned of a complete halt to regular medical services unless private colleges implement the government-stipulated allowance, accusing institutions of exploiting their labor while ignoring legal mandates.