KIHS halts medical services indefinitely

JUMLA, July 4: The medical team deployed by Karnali Institute of Health  Sciences for the treatment of senior orthopedic surgeon Dr Govinda KC has returned following lack of cooperation from the local administration.

Doctors turned back stating that the place where Dr KC is staging his latest fast-unto-death is not  suitable for providing him treatment and that they cannot take the risk. District Administration Office (DAO)Jumla had moved Dr KC to the covered hall of the district sports committee on Saturday. 

On the fourth day of his hunger strike, Dr KC was found lying on the  filthy floor despite his ailing health. According to the doctors, they can’t provide treatment to the crusading physician as proper infrastructure is lacking and the hall is so damp that it can lead to infections. 

Dr Prabin Kumar Giri, who was deployed for Dr KC’s treatment, stated that they cannot take the risk of treating him at such a place and as the government is showing no concern for his fate. 

“His  condition is deteriorating day by day. His heart is beating faster and he has started developing severe headaches. There is no electricity or other facilities and it’s not possible to save him here,” said Dr Giri. He urged the local administration to shift Dr KC to a properly-equipped hospital in Kathmandu.

The unstable weather has also affected Dr KC’s condition. Four days into his strike he can hardly speak. Following  the doctors’ request, KIHS has written to the DAO urging it to shift Dr KC to a proper hospital. But the local administration has been saying it can’t do anything until they receive an order from  higher up.

Dr KC went to Jumla for staging his 15th hunger strike to press a seven-point demand for reform in medical education. He was obstructed by the local administration and police while trying to enter the premises of the KIHS teaching hospital. Later, he was taken to the district sports committee covered hall.

KIHS halts services indefinitely
Venting their ire against the local administration for neglecting the condition of Dr KC, doctors at KIHS and other health organizations in Karnali have halted all medical services except emergency from Tuesday. Demanding that Dr KC’s life be saved, the hospital has halted its OPD services indefinitely. Staff at KIHS have lined up outside the covered hall where Dr KC has been staging his fast-unto-death since Saturday.

Issuing a press release signed by Dr Prabin Kumar Giri, vice chairperson of Nepal Medical Association Karnali chapter, they informed that  medical organizations in Karnali will be halting all services indefinitely except emergency. They have also said that the local administration will be held responsible for the difficulties faced by patients and any loss of life. Earlier, a 24-hour ultimatum was issued to the DAO to save Dr KC’s life.

Doctors and health workers from Mugu and Kalikot have also joined hands to protest the negligence shown by the DAO and the government toward Dr KC.

Semi-naked procession in Khalanga 
Demanding that Dr KC’s life be saved, Civil Society Jumla organized a semi-naked procession on Tuesday. Protesters marched through various streets wearing only half  their clothes, handcuffs and black bands across their mouths. The procession commenced from the covered hall, marched to the hospital, then to the DAO via Krishna Mandir and gathered again at the covered hall.

Raj Bahadur Mahat, chairperson of  Civil Society Jumla, informed that they will continue such protests as long as Dr KC’s  suffering continues.

 
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