Kathmandu: Minister for Health and Population Pradip Poudel has issued a stern warning to private medical colleges, stating that the government will suspend all forms of cooperation if they fail to implement the decision to provide resident doctors a living allowance equal to that of government hospitals.

The minister made the remarks during a meeting held on Thursday with representatives of the Nepal Medical Association (NMA) and protesting resident doctors at the Ministry of Health. The meeting came amid ongoing protests by over 2,500 resident doctors across Nepal, with many staging sit-in demonstrations at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu wearing their duty uniforms.

The Medical Education Commission had earlier directed all private medical colleges to offer a monthly subsistence allowance of Rs 48,000 to postgraduate (MD, MS, MDS) resident doctors—equal to what is provided in government institutions. However, two months after the decision, most private institutions have not complied.

Minister Poudel emphasized that the ministry will not support any private medical college in administrative, academic, or policy matters unless they implement the Commission’s directive. He also stated that no further negotiations, including those on increasing postgraduate seats or adjusting tuition fees, will take place until the Rs 48,000 monthly allowance is paid to each resident doctor.

During the meeting, NMA President Dr Anil Bikram Karki and Sheshraj Ghimire, coordinator of the Safe Workplace Struggle Committee for Health Workers, urged the government to enforce its own decision. Dr Karki announced that the agitation will continue until the allowances are credited to doctors’ bank accounts. He also confirmed that resident doctors will refrain from providing services except in emergency and intensive care units.

Resident doctors say they feel exploited and demoralized by the disparity in pay. Dr Ritu Sharma, a resident dental doctor at Nepal Medical College in Jorpati, said she receives only Rs 19,000 a month, less than half of what government doctors at the same level earn. “What will we do with Rs 19,000? We deserve fair treatment,” she said, having joined the protest for three weeks.

Some doctors have also alleged threats from college administrations for participating in the protest. But they remain undeterred. “No matter the threats, we will not return to work until our dues are paid,” one protester said.

Ghimire from the Struggle Committee echoed the demand, stating, “We are simply asking for the minimum value of our labour. The state must take this seriously and act on it.”

The dispute continues as resident doctors across the country remain firm on their stance, calling for equality, transparency, and justice in Nepal’s medical education system.