Govt preparing to bring Dr KC to Kathmandu forcibly: Report

KATHMANDU, July 13:  The government is preparing to bring agitating Dr Govinda KC forcibly, if his condition gets very critical.

Dr KC, a senior orthopaedic surgeon of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, is staging his 15th hunger strike at Jumla-based Karnali Academy of Health and Sciences for the past fourteen days demanding reforms in medical education sector.

His health condition is worsening and has refused the medical attention from doctors sent by the government.

According to Girirajmani Pokhrel, minister of Health, the government is preparing to send another team to take stock to Dr KC’s health. “If his condition gets worse, we will bring him to the capital forcibly,” according to Onlinekhabar.

Sources say that the government has even readied an army helicopter since Wednesday, as a preparation to bring him to the capital.

However, Dr KC has insisted that he would not accept any medical attention from the government neither will he come to Kathmandu unless the government fulfills his demands. He has pushed for the Health Education Act as recommended by the Kedar Bhatka Mathema-led committee.

The government on Thursday put on hold its plan to table the National Medical Education Bill  at the parliament for endorsement following the reservation from the main opposition party Nepali Congress. Dr KC, NC and various other civil society organizations have protested the provisions in the bill that will allow affiliation to some hospitals owned by the ruling Nepal Communist Party leaders and businessmen close to the party without meeting the standards.