Dr. Govinda KC resumes his hunger strike

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Senior professor and orthopedic surgeon of Tribhuvan University (TU) Teaching Hospital, Dr. Govinda KC has resumed his hunger strike on Saturday stating that the commitment made to fulfill his demands against interference and politicization in medical sector. As per government’s commitment a new Dean has to be appointed at the Institute of Medicine (IOM) on the basis of seniority. Dr. KC who broke his 14 day long hunger strike on 24 January after government assurance to his demands said that he was force to resume his strike as government did not take any step to appoint a new Dean at IOM. He had organized a press conference in the Kathmandu before starting his hunger strike on Saturday. Speaking at a press conference he was very unsatisfied with the inference and influence of medical mafia and political interference in medical sector. Hospitals had closed down all operations except emergency services in harmony with his strike.
This is his fourth hunger strike concerning above issues.
A three-member committee included Prof Dr. Krishna Kumar Oil, Dr. Ratendra Shrestha and Dr Deepak Mahara   was formed by the University to propose names of prospective deans. The committee, however, failed to carry out its task, despite negotiations on Friday. Dr. KC resumed his strike after Dr. Deepak Mahara resigned from the committee on Friday.
A four member government taskforce headed by Secretary at Prime Minister’s Office Krishna Hari Baskota had to assure him about his demands to end his 14 day long hunger strike on January 24, however the government commitment expired on Friday.

Meanwhile, before the going to hunger strike, Dr KC called on President Ram Baran Yadav and apprised him of the problems engulfing the medical sector of Nepal. Dr. Govinda further informed the President Dr. Yadav that there was no way out than to sit again for strike unto death to take ahead the reform process in the medical sector.
Following are the five point demands of Dr. KC
a) Dismiss the TU officials, who did not follow the instructions of the government of Nepal even after reaching a deal with Dr KC and all the protesting doctors

b) Dean of Institute of Medicines (IOM) (Dr Prakash Sayami), who was compelled to resign under pressure, has to be reinstated. If he is unwilling for the job, a new Dean has to be appointed on seniority basis. All educational and academic institutions of the country must get their heads, not based on political allotment, but on seniority basis.

c) Action has to be taken immediately against former IOM officials, who were found guilty

d) Government medical colleges have to be established in rural areas, where most of the Nepalese people live

e) Entirely implement all the previous understanding reached with the Government of Nepal (it includes providing affiliation to medical colleges only after formulating a national policy on medical education)

We appreciate Dr. Govinda KC’s demands actually most of sectors are influenced by politics in Nepal. Political appointment, political supports, bribe are the main interfere in government organization.  Now days some private organizations are also influenced by government/ politics. We hope his hunger strike may end soon and government as soon as possible fulfills his demands.