Jan 18, Kathmandu - The Ministry of Health and Population has formed a three-member negotiation committee to address the demands of the health workers on hunger strike.

The committee includes Ministry Spokesperson Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, Division Chief Dr. Bhim Prasad Sapkota, and Hospital Nursing Administrator Nujan Sharma.

Similarly, the Joint Struggle Committee, which is agitating for talks with the government, has formed a negotiation team. Five professional organizations of health workers registered with the Health Professionals Council have been on a hunger strike for three days.

Gopal Upadhyay, central vice-president of the Nepal CMA Association, is on a hunger strike to implement Section 4(2) of the Nepal Health Professionals Council Act and the previous agreement with the Ministry of Health and Population.

Upadhyay is on hunger strike on behalf of the Joint Struggle Committee formed by the Nepal Dental Science Hygienist Association, Nepal Public Health Association, Medical Laboratory Association, Nepal CMA Association and Health Assistant Association Nepal.

The demand has been put forward to ensure representation of professional organizations on a category and numerical basis of health workers in the council, as well as to immediately implement the salary allowance and service facilities as per the agreement for nurses and all health workers.

The Nepal Medical Association, the Joint Struggle Committee and the Nurses Struggle Committee have expressed solidarity.