Govt breached past accords: Dr KC

Hunger strike on Day 10
KATHMANDU Sept 2: Instead of addressing the demands put forth by Dr Govinda KC, who is on a hunger strike for the past 10 days, the government has breached the past accords, complained doctors who have been supporting the cause of Dr KC.

Due to the differences between the government and Dr KC, formal dialogue between the two has not been held so far. Doctors attending to Dr KC warned that his condition has been deteriorating fast and he might have to be transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at anytime.

"We are surprised by Tuesday's decision of the social committee of the cabinet. These decisions have spoilt talks atmosphere," said, Dr Ramchandra Sapkota, chairman of the Resident Doctors Association of Nepal (RAN) at the Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine (IoM). "We don't know what the government is trying to do."

The meeting of the social committee under the cabinet held on Tuesday evening has decided not to give Letter of Intent (LOI) to new medical colleges for 10 years. The committee however, has decided to provide approval to start bachelor's level program to the colleges, which have been operating 300-bed and hundred-bed hospitals.

Dr Sapkota said that the government has expressed commitment not to grant permission to start MBBS program in the colleges as demanded by Dr KC. Report of the Mathema taskforce too has suggested to the government not to grant permission to new medical colleges in the capital to start MBBS program.

Dr Sapkota said that Dr KC and his supporters were hopeful until Tuesday afternoon as Dr Govinda Pokahrel, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Reconstruction Authority, met Dr KC and assured him that he would convey KC's message to the government. Dr Pokhrel, also the vice chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC), had played significant role in persuading Dr KC to break his last hunger strike.

Dr KC, a senior professor at the IoM wants full implementation of the Mathema taskforce's report and other past accords regarding reforms in medical education. Doctors attending him said that his health condition is deteriorating fast. Academic activities at the IOM remain disrupted since Monday. Patients have been deprived of the services at the TU Teaching Hospital (TUTH) after the resident doctors slashed their services in support of Dr KC's protest. Faculty doctors at the TUTH even stopped examining new patients at the hospital from Wednesday. The hospital administration has already postponed scheduled surgeries. Patients from across the country visit TUTH, as it is renowned for quality care in affordable prices.

Hundreds of protesting medical students on Wednesday took to the street expressing solidarity with Dr KC. The students marched from Maitighar Mandala to New Baneshwar chanting slogans to pressure the government to heed Dr KC's demands. The march saw participation of resident doctors, undergraduate students of IOM and commoners.

Meanwhile, Women Children Senior Citizens and Social Welfare Committee of parliament held discussion with the members of the Mathema taskforce on Wednesday. Members of the taskforce told the committee that the report needs to be implemented in letter and spirit. The government has asked Dr KC to give up his ongoing hunger strike claiming that it has addressed all his demands. A press statement issued by the Office of Prime Minister and Council Ministers on Wednesday said that the government has decided to implement Mathema taskforce's report and has directed the ministries concerned to implement it.