Resident docs, students wear black armbands
KATHMANDU, July 14: Resident doctors pursuing MD/MS degree at the Institute of Medicine (IoM) on Wednesday came to work wearing black armbands to express solidarity with Dr Govinda KC, who has been on a fast-unto-death since Sunday demanding reforms in the medical education system and the health sector.

"We wore black armbands at work from Wednesday to express solidarity with Dr KC's struggle for a just cause," reads the press statement issued by the National Resident Doctors' Association (NRDA). The Association has warned of additional protest programs if Dr KC's demands are not fulfilled.

Dr KC began his eighth indefinite hunger strike demanding reform in the medical education sector and the impeachment of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) chief, Lokman Singh Karki.

Meanwhile, resident as well as under graduate students pursuing medical degrees at the IoM have decided to shun classes from Thursday in a bid to pile pressure on the government to heed Dr KC's demands.

Dr KC's condition deteriorating
Dr KC's condition has started deteriorating. A press statement issued by Dr Suchit Sharma, a resident doctor, who is attending to Dr KC, said that his age factor and past hunger strikes have made him more vulnerable this time round. "The symptoms that would appear several days after his hunger strikes in the past, have been detected on the third day this time," reads the statement. According to Dr Sharma, KC's heart beat has increased, and he is already complaining of difficulties in breathing and chest pain. Likewise, acetone has been detected in his urine and the blood report showed a decline in glucose level.

Dr Sharma has requested the hospital authority to provide equipment to monitor Dr KC's oxygen and blood pressure. "He may need oxygen supply at any time," reads the statement.

Meanwhile, the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) has refused to form a medical team and provide equipment necessary to save Dr KC in the event of medical emergency.

 
• dr govinda kc
 
• institute of medicine
 
• national resident doctors' association