Protesting doctors have put off their protest after the government and Nepal Medical Association reached a three-point agreement. 

Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Paudel, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari and representatives from the Ministry of Health and Population and the Nepal Medical Council, the umbrella organization of the medical doctors, were present in the agreement signing ceremony.

Doctors across the country had been staging protests over the Consumer Court's verdict that imposed hefty penalties on the doctors found guilty of gross negligence that led to serious complications and patients' death. 

The healthcare providers had been shutting down all services except for emergencies in the private and public healthcare facilities across the country.

As per the newly inked agreement, a task force would be formed to furnish recommendations on the amendment on the existing legal and policy provisions. The team has been tasked to submit a report within seven days.

Similarly, it has been agreed that the report received from the task force will be submitted to the dialogue team and implemented accordingly. 

It has also been agreed that the concerned ministry will seek in-principle consent from the Council of Ministers within 11 days for the necessary amendments to the existing legal and policy provisions, including the Consumer Protection Act, 2075 BS, and that the process for amending the law through the fast-track method will be taken forward.

As a result, the Nepal Medical Association has agreed to suspend all types of protests with effect from today and resume regular services.

It may be noted that the doctors had launched the protest demanding amendments to the Consumer Protection Act, 2075 BS, after the Consumer Court imposed hefty penalties including financial compensation to some hospitals and doctors for negligence in the treatment of patients.