In protest of the new law, emergency health services excepted, health services have been declared closed in 88 local levels of Sudurpashchim

Nepal Health News, Kathmandu: Health workers in Sudurpashchim Province have launched a protest against a recent legal provision introduced by the provincial government.

They have taken to the streets opposing certain clauses included in the Local Level (Formation and Operation) Act 2081.

The health workers have announced that all health services—except for emergency care—will be halted across all 88 local levels of Sudurpashchim Province.

The protest, led by the Independent Health Workers' Struggle Committee of Sudurpashchim Province, is primarily in response to a provision mentioned in Sub-section 4 of Section 9 of the Act.

According to that provision, employees who were integrated into the provincial system from federal service and are currently serving in the fourth, fifth, and sixth levels will be eligible for a one-time promotion, provided they have completed five years of service as of the date the Act comes into effect.

In a statement issued by the committee's coordinator, Rajendra Singh Saud, it was stated that this provision contradicts the spirit of the Health Service Act 2053 and would hinder the promotion and career development of health workers.

The statement further mentions that the new Act appears to limit the promotion process to a one-time opportunity, which could prevent workers from moving to higher levels in the future. The health workers criticized the law as discriminatory, stating that it was introduced without prior consultation with relevant stakeholders. Additionally, they announced their decision not to submit the monthly report for the month of Asar through the DHIS2 system.