KATHMANDU, Sept 2: Senior orthopedic surgeon and health reformist Dr Govinda KC, who had been staging a hunger strike at the Shahid Dasharathchandra Health Sciences University in Geta, Kailali, ended his protest this afternoon after his health condition deteriorated sharply.
Dr KC drank a glass of juice at around 2:00 PM offered by Pritam Chaudhary, one of the patient in the hospital.
People's representative on hunger strike demanding electricity
Dr KC broke his strike following a dramatic fall in his blood glucose level, which had dropped to a critically low 24 earlier in the day. Normally, glucose levels below 70 are considered dangerous.
Dr. Amrit Jaishi, an aide to Dr. KC, told Republica that fluctuations in heartbeat and minor episodes of seizure had been observed due to acute hypoglycemia. “That’s why Dr. KC himself decided to quit the strike this time,” Jaishi said. Despite his worsening health, Dr. KC remained mentally alert and continued to monitor his own vitals until ending the protest.
Dr. KC had launched his 23rd hunger strike on August 31, pressing for reforms in the medical sector. His demands included the immediate withdrawal of the government and Medical Education Commission’s decision—made under Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli—to unjustifiably increase student intake at private medical colleges and to prevent any tuition fee hikes. He also called for the full operation of hospital services and academic programs at Geta Medical University.
Beyond health-sector reforms, Dr. KC urged the Indian government to end encroachment in Lipulek and return Nepal’s occupied territory. He also appealed to Russia and Israel to immediately halt the ongoing genocidal wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
