TUTH finally forms medical team to attend to Dr KC

KATHMANDU, July 16: The Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) administration on Friday formed a medical team to attend to Dr Govinda KC following pressure from various quarters including medical students, civil society members and human rights activists.

 

The TUTH administration had been hesitant about forming a medical team to attend to Dr KC citing warning by the District Administration Office (DAO), Kathmandu against allowing the doctor to stage hunger strike on the hospital premises. The hospital administration on Wednesday had also written to the chief district officer (CDO) of Kathmandu seeking permission to form a medical team.

 

The five member medical team formed Friday includes Professor Dibya Singh Shah, Dr Subash Acharya, Dr Diptesh Aryal, Dr Rabin Nepali, and Mrs Sobhana Bhuju, nursing supervisor of the ENT department.

Earlier on Friday, a meeting of the department heads called by Professor Bimal Kumar Sinha, acting dean of the Institute of Medicine (IoM), had decided to request the TUTH administration to form the medical team.

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Meanwhile, a health bulletin issued by medical team member Professor Shah said Dr KC's health is gradually deteriorating. He has been complaining of muscle cramps, headache and chest pain.  "Acetone is already positive. His blood sugar and sodium are on the low side," reads the bulletin.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the authorities concerned to be sensitive toward the deteriorating condition of Dr KC. Issuing a press statement Friday, Mohana Ansari, NHRC spokesperson, has asked the concerned sides to sort out the problems through dialogue and implement the past deals signed between Dr KC and the government.  

Meanwhile, the Government Doctors Association of Nepal (GODAN) has demanded the authorities concerned to fulfill the four demands put forth by Dr KC. Issuing a press statement Friday; the association has also expressed solidarity with Dr KC's ongoing fast-unto-death. Demanding reforms in medical education sector and impeachment of Lokman Singh Karki, the chief commissioner of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Dr KC is on an indefinite hunger strike for last  six days.