KATHMANDU: The health condition of Dr. Govinda KC, who is on the 26th day of fast-unto-death at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) has deteriorated, his medical team has said.

According to a statement issued by Prof. Dr. Subhash P. Acharya, Coordinator, Medical Team for Dr. Govinda KC, the latter has been complaining of intermittent palpitations (fast heart beat), chest pain, central, fatigue, muscle pain and cramps and repeated episodes of dizziness.

“He continues to have shortness of breath even on minimal exertion and today around 13:15 pm he developed difficulty in breathing,” the statement said adding that his oxygen saturation was 86-87% on room air.

Dr KC was given oxygen by face mask at 4-6 l/min and his oxygen saturation increased to 94-95%.

On clinical examination, according to the statement, his breath sounds are much diminished on right lower zones with fine crepitations and vocal resonance.

“In this regard, given his low white blood cell counts, chest X-ray and High Resolution CT (HRCT) Scan of the chest has been planned to rule out infectious complications (pneumonia),” the statement added.

Meanwhile, doctors supporting Dr KC has warned of escalating agitation if the government did not invite them for talks by 4 pm today.

They have accused Prime Minister KP Oli for deliberately delaying talks.

A meeting held on Thursday between the government and Dr KC’s talk team had discussed the demands put forth by Dr KC. Both the sides had agreed to sit for another round of talks on Friday.

According to hospital sources, Dr KC has denied other blood investigations to be send for today.

His Blood Pressure has been ranging from 90/40 — 110/60 mmHg, and he continues to have frequent Ventricular Ectopic Beats.

The statement said that Dr KC’s latest blood investigations shows that his blood sugar is very low, serum electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Phosphorus) are all critically low.

Even his white blood cell counts are also low and thus having high risk of infectious complications.

Thus, in view of development shortness of breath and need of oxygen, presence of intermittent arrhythmias, he is in immediate danger of getting life threatening complications and needs to be admitted in ICU for monitoring and management but he denies ICU admission, it added.