KATHMANDU, Oct 7: Expressing serious concerns over the ongoing fast-unto-death by Dr Govinda KC, four former Prime Ministers have urged the government to take immediate initiatives to save the life of Dr KC.

Former prime ministers--Sher Bahadur Deuba, Madhav Kumar Nepal, Jhalanath Khanal and Baburam Bhattarai--drew the attention of the government over deteriorating health condition of Dr KC. They also have regretted the government’s apathy toward holding talks with Dr KC and addressing his legitimate demands.

Dr KC has been on the hunger strike for the past 24 days seeking immediate reforms in the health and medical education sector. He has also demanded that past agreements with him are implemented.

Although a team of government officials met Dr KC on Tuesday, there is no sign, as yet, of addressing his demands any time soon.

Former Prime Minister and President of Nepali Congress Deuba urged the government to hold talks with Dr KC and address his demands without any further delay keeping in mind worsening health condition of KC. Deuba warned the government of dire consequences if KC’s demands are not met on time.

“I hope the government will not take KC’s demands lightly,” Deuba said while urging the government to implement a deal reached between Dr KC and the government in July 2018. However, Prime Minister Oli himself seems non-committal to the deal that his own government had reached with KC.

Former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal who is also a senior leader of the ruling Nepal Communist Party urged the government to save Dr KC’s life and take concrete efforts to address his demands. “It is the government who must create a positive environment for holding talks with Dr KC and end his hunger strike at the earliest possible,” Khanal said.

Another leader of the ruling NCP Madhav Kumar Nepal, who is also the former Prime Minister, said that the government must listen to Dr KC’s demands and address them without any further delay.

Former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai expressed anger for the government’s apathy toward addressing Dr KC’s demands. “How come the government of a democratic country can turn deaf ear to Dr KC’s demands as his health is worsening day by day?” he questioned.

While hinting at Prime Minister Oli’s indifference toward addressing Dr KC’s demands, Dr Bhattarai accused the government of showing “criminal negligence”.

Dr KC began his latest hunger strike on September 14 from Jumla. He is currently staging the hunger strike at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH). According to the doctors attending him, KC’s life is in danger if his fast-unto-death is not broken immediately.

 
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