Dr KC’s health worsens

KATHMANDU, March 27: Condition of Dr Govinda KC , who has been on a hunger strike on the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital premises since Monday, is deteriorating.

According to doctors involved in his treatment, ketones level in his urine has shot up considerably—a danger sign suggesting the start of a serious illness. He is complaining of dizziness and weakness, they said.

Dr KC has been asking the government to fulfil its past commitments, including his demands for action against officials trying to take away MBBS programme, currently being run under the Institute of Medicine, to Kirtipur.

He has also urged the government to implement reports submitted in February 2014 by two expert panels formed to study the number of medical universities required in the country, draft the medical education standards and prepare medical college affiliation frameworks.

He has also demanded a committee to formulate a medical education policy and action against people involved in granting affiliation to the Biratnagar-based Birat Medical College and the Rupandehi-based Devdaha Medical College, among others. This is the fifth time that Dr KC has been on death fast against the anomalies surrounding the country’s medical colleges.

But Tribhuvan University officials are turning a blind eye to the issue, with Rector Guna Nidhi Neupane maintaining that the varsity will continue to grant affiliations to more medical colleges. “The notice was put up on the orders of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Minister of Education. We will not roll back the decision,” said Neupane, speaking at a programme in the Capital on Thursday.

Also on Thursday, the Nepal Medical Association urged the doctors across the country for suggestions on what Dr KC’s protest means to them, instructing its subordinate bodies to answer promptly on the matter.