Govt restores Sunday OPD closure in public hospitals

KATHMANDU: The government has reinstated the Sunday holiday for outpatient department (OPD) services in public hospitals, following concerns raised over staffing and service management under the newly implemented two-day weekly public holiday system.

Earlier, the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) had urged hospitals to keep OPD services open on Sundays, citing patient inconvenience due to two consecutive days of closure.

However, after discussions with the Nepal Medical Association, which expressed inability to operate OPD services on Sundays, the government has now decided to reintroduce Sunday as a non-OPD working day in government hospitals.

In a statement, the Ministry clarified that the decision aligns with the government’s official two-day weekly public holiday policy, which has been published in the Gazette.

It emphasized that patient care will not be disrupted despite the revised arrangement.

According to the Ministry, emergency and inpatient (IPD) services will continue to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring uninterrupted critical healthcare services.

Previously scheduled surgeries (OTs) on Sundays will be rescheduled based on patient convenience.

The Ministry further stated that in cases where services are not available, patients will be referred smoothly to appropriate nearby hospitals.

Ambulance services will remain on standby at all times.

Hospitals have also been instructed to ensure that essential services are maintained on public holidays and to provide clear information to the public through notice boards and official websites.