Concerned govt reluctant to meet demands of Dr. KC

JUMLA, July 9: Health condition of Dr. Govinda KC, who is on his 10^th day in his fifteenth fast-unto-death hunger strike, is deteriorating, according to Dr. Prabin Giri. KC’s immunity is decreasing while his heart beat is increasing rapidly.  “At the moment, he cannot stand up to walk to the toilet.”

Signs that KC is showing include chest pain, tiredness, muscle twitches, headaches and high level of Ketone in urine. KC is under 24/7 medical supervision. In addition, depleting white blood cells has further affected his resistance and posed a challenge to save his life.

Vice Chancellor Rajendra Raj Wagle of Karnali Institute of Health Sciences said that KC was unable to speak. “We are using every resource we have at our disposal. However, if his health condition worsens, he must be transferred to a more equipped place. This, we have been urging to the government.”

The VC added that Minister for Education, Giriraj Mani Pokhrel had inquired about the health of Dr. KC from telephone. “The Minister has asked us to give the best,” Wagle said quoting Pokhrel’s conversation.  “The government is expressing concerns regarding Dr. KC’s health.”

While the government has expressed its concerns regarding KC’s health, it is unwilling to discuss about his demands.

Seven demands made by Dr Govinda KC:

• Endorsement of the Medical Education Ordinance Replacement Bill by parliament without making any changes
• Development of proper infrastructure and sufficient human resources at KIHS for its MBBS and other graduate programs. He has also sought speedy construction of Rapti Academy of Health Sciences and get a medical college as well as establishment of government medical colleges in Pachthar-Illam, Dadeldhura-Doti and Udayapur
• The government to reverse the decision to ban demonstrations at Maitighar Mandala in the capital
• Action against officials associated with medical education who were deemed guilty by a judicial investigation commission. They should face action as recommended by the commission. He has also demanded that the powers snatched from the Institute of Medicine by Tribhuvan University should be reinstated to foster IOM’s autonomy
• Implementation of standards for officials set by the University Grants Commission
• Scrapping of the Scholarship Management and Mobilization Procedures 2075 and enforcement of two years of compulsory service by post graduates whose studies were supported with scholarships. All private institutions should provide cost-free medical masters degrees from the next academic year
• Arrest o those involved in leaving students of Janaki Medical College high and dry. The college is currently closed and its students face an uncertain future.