Nurses working at Manipal Teaching Hospital have launched a protest, saying they are being paid less than the government-mandated minimum wage. They began sit-ins and demonstrations on September 28 and have halted all services since October 10. As a result, the hospital has referred or discharged most of the admitted patients to other facilities.
According to hospital information officer Shankar Bahadur Ji, patients in serious condition have not been discharged. “We haven’t discharged those who are from far away or seriously ill, but we have merged some wards to continue providing services,” he said.
The protesting nurses have submitted a nine-point demand to the hospital administration, including the provision of minimum wages. They have raised issues such as being overworked, not receiving leave, lack of risk allowances for those working in high-risk departments, and the absence of transportation allowances. A total of 181 nurses have been staging a sit-in at the hospital council, stating that they are not even paid the government-specified basic salary of Rs. 19,550 according to their grade.
The hospital administration, meanwhile, has issued warnings to the protesting nurses. At midnight on Friday, the administration sent an email citing legal provisions and instructing nurses to return to duty, referencing the Essential Services Operation Act. Some nurses described the message as “threatening.” One nurse, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “Those who are seen in the protest have been targeted, including me. We have been protesting for two weeks, but our demands have not been met. The email warning us to return to duty under the law feels like intimidation.”
The midnight notice stated, “According to existing laws of Nepal, health services are classified as essential services. Therefore, any form of strike or work stoppage that obstructs patient care is unacceptable under the Essential Services Operation Act and related regulations.” The hospital cited a public notice issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on December 13, 2021, published in the Nepal Gazette, reminding that strikes in hospitals and health institutions are completely prohibited.
The protesting nurses, however, have shown letters from the Ministry of Health and Population and the Nursing Association directing hospitals to provide minimum wages, urging compliance. “Our basic salary is the main issue. We are on strike because our demands have not been met. They didn’t allow us to mark attendance on Saturday, but we will stand firm,” the nurses said in a joint statement.
A hospital notice issued on October 11, 2025 has further alarmed the nurses. The hospital published a vacancy announcement for nursing positions through its Facebook page, without specifying the number of positions which nurses believe is an attempt to weaken their movement. The nurses have warned that if pressure tactics continue, they are ready to pursue legal action.
The Ministry of Health had already drawn attention to this issue a year ago, and the Nursing Association reiterated the concern two days earlier, urging all private hospitals, medical colleges, community hospitals, and healthcare institutions to provide minimum wages. A statement signed by Nepal Nursing Association President Chandrakala Sharma read, “The Association submitted a demand letter to the Ministry on May 8, seeking salary, risk allowances, and night shift allowances. Despite repeated follow-ups, no concrete steps have been taken.”
The Association noted that private healthcare institutions are underpaying nurses, forcing them to protest in various hospitals, including the College of Medical Sciences in Chitwan and Manipal Teaching Hospital in Pokhara.
However, hospital director Narayan Paudel claimed that Manipal provides 20 percent higher benefits compared to other hospitals. “We are paying the basic salary, plus 20 percent more in benefits. Nurses living in the hostel pay only Rs. 30 per day. Where else can you live for Rs. 600 a month?” he said. Paudel added that the protests were happening outside the hospital premises. “Nurses abandoned patients to join protests. How do we explain this to the patients? They stopped services suddenly without realizing the consequences, shouldn’t there be legal accountability for that?” he asked.
Paudel said that around 300 patients were left unattended when the strike began. “Problems should be solved through dialogue. We will find a solution. But what if a patient’s life is endangered? Nurses shouldn’t abandon their duties like that,” he said.
He claimed that the hospital has not reduced any benefits within its capacity. “We have 1,200 staff. The government doesn’t provide a single rupee. We are running the hospital at government rates. This situation should be understood,” he said, adding that discussions were underway to resolve the issue. Paudel also said the hospital’s outpatient services would resume from October 12.
Nurses apologize to patients for service disruption
The nurses have issued a public apology to patients and their families for the inconvenience caused by the protest. In a statement, the nursing staff said they have always prioritized patient health and safety but were forced to raise their voices for their rights. “We, the nursing staff of Manipal Teaching Hospital, sincerely apologize for any inconvenience, delay, or difficulty caused by our protest,” the statement read. “This was not a decision we made lightly.”
They said they have long been undervalued, underpaid, and overworked despite being at the heart of the healthcare system. “Our profession demands dedication, compassion, and empathy,” the statement continued. “We strive every day to provide the best care to our patients, but after repeated neglect of our legitimate demands, we are now compelled to raise our voices for fair pay, respect, and dignity.”
The nurses thanked patients and their families for their understanding and expressed hope that the situation would soon be resolved peacefully.
Sanjay Ranabhat