Dr KC warns of resuming hunger strike

KATHMANDU, Sept 8: Accusing the government of reneging on a written commitment with the ink barely dry, Dr Govinda KC has threatened to resume his hunger strike once again. Dr KC ended his 14-day fast-unto-death just two days ago following an 11-point agreement reached with the government.

As per the deal, the cabinet meeting held on Monday should have endorsed the agreement and formed a health professionals education commission. But instead of forming the commission, the meeting of the Council of Ministers only entrusted the cabinet's Social Affairs Committee to look into the matter of forming the commission.

Dr KC has urged the public to pressure the government to implement the accords and continue its support for his cause.Issuing a press statement Tuesday, Dr KC has asked the government to endorse the agreement and form the commission by Thursday. "It appears that the state actors are hell-bent on obstructing the process of forming the medical commission and formulating medical education policy as envisaged in order to bring about sustainable reforms in the medical sector," reads the statement.

Dr KC has also asked the government to direct the ministries concerned to implement the other agreements, such as fixing the ceiling on MBBS fees as recommended by the Mathema taskforce report, and gradually reducing the number of MBBS seats.

"Otherwise, I will be compelled to resume my hunger strike from Friday," reads Dr KC's statement.

First hunger strike: July 5-8, 2012
Demand: Appointment of office bearers at the Institute of Medicine (IoM) on the basis of seniority.
Achievement: Senior Professor Kumud Kumar Kafle appointed the dean at IoM.

Second hunger strike: August 11-17, 2012
Demand: Immediate appointment of dean on the basis of seniority.
Achievement: Professor Prakash Shayami appointed as the dean of IoM.

Third hunger strike: January 11-24, 2014
Demand: To form medical university and stop new affiliations.
Achievement: Dr Sashi Sharma, successor to Professor Prakash Shyami, forced to resign; government agreed to form medical university and stop affiliations.

Fourth hunger strike: February 8-15, 2014
Demand: Implementation of past accords signed between him and the government.
Achievement: Government to appoint dean on the basis of seniority, and probe over the new affiliations.

Fifth hunger strike: February 20-March 3, 2015
Demand: Not to open affiliations prior to formulation of policy (after the government did so disregarding the past accords).
Achievement: The government agreed to block new affiliations until the formation of new policy, and again committed to implement past accords.

Sixth hunger strike: August 24-September 6, 2015
Demand: Implementation of the Mathema taskforce's report and past accords.
Achievement: Government committed to endorse the deal from cabinet and formed a health professional education commission.

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