KATHMANDU, Dec 7: The National Human Rights Commission has expressed serious concerns over the ongoing fast-unto-death by Bikash Tiwari, who wants overall reforms in the health sector and better management of Gajendra Narayan Singh Sagarmatha Zonal Hospital in Rajbiraj.

Tiwari has been staging fast-unto-death protest since the last 15 days demanding free healthcare for the poor and better management of govenrment hospitals.

Issuing a press release on Wednesday, the NHRC said that the constitutional body has been monitoring his fast-unto-death and found that his health condition has deteriorated. The commission has asked the authorites and government agencies concerned to work to save his life and find solution to the issues raised by him through dialogue.

The commission has also said that its monitoring found that the buildings and equipment in government hospitals are in dilapidated condition and waste management at hospitals is dismal. The commission has also asked the government to pay attention to provide quality health services to people by providing clean drinking water, properly managing hospital waste and improving the infrastructure.

Bikash Tiwari 

According to Republica Correspondent Mithilesh Yadav in Lahan, Tiwari's condition is deteriorating. Dr Ramesh Koirala, as a representative of the Ministry of Health, had met Tiwari on Sunday and urged him to end the hunger strike. On Sunday, Minister for Health Gagan Thapa also urged Tiwari to end the strike while assuring that his demands would be fulfilled in a month. Tiwari refused to end his hunger strike.
 
"As they sought a month's time even for addressing my simple demands related to hospital reforms, I refused to end my strike. I have asked the minister to visit Rajbiraj and address my demands," said Tiwari.

"All I am demanding is that the people be ensured basic health facilities. I will not break by fast until the government addresses the demand,” he added.  

 
• national human rights commission